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Saratoga Springs
In a city famed for its horses, Jupiter is a star. Since 2003, the 23-year-old standardbred has controlled the crowds as the unofficial sheriff of Caroline Street.
"Having a horse out there is like having five extra guys," said mounted patrol officer Glenn Barrett, who has sat astride Jupiter throughout his career. "He's a real deterrent."
But now, the horse with a calm disposition will be off the streets for good. Jupiter will do his last night on patrol on St. Patrick's Day. He will then retire to a farm on Ruggles Road where he will be cared for by Barrett's police partner Aaron Moore.
"It's bittersweet," said Barrett. "We started together in the police force at the same time. But we know, it's the right time."
This retirement is Jupiter's second. The bay horse started his career as a pacer, circling the Saratoga Raceway under the name of Jo Jo Geronimo. A tendon injury halted his career at the harness track in 2001. At the time, it was feared he was headed for the meat factory, a fate of many broken-down racehorses. But his owner, Joanne Hamilton of Ballston Spa, decided to donate him to the city. She knew he could do a law enforcement job, because she said, he was "a big dog that listens well."
After training, Jupiter hit the streets, first patrolling the city's racetracks. Officers quickly learned that Jupiter's true talent was downtown crowd control. Barrett and Jupiter soon were monitoring the club crowds in the city's popular Gut neighborhood throughout the summer and anytime there was a large event like First Night or Chowderfest. At the peak of the season, Jupiter put in about 20 hours a week, working an 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. shift.
"We stand at the top of the hill so we can get a view of the whole street," said Barrett. "If we see anything, we go down there. He could easily end a large fight: 90 percent of the time, people would see Jupiter and it would end."
Jupiter didn't always discourage bad behavior. Once, he was punched. That led to an arrest. But throughout his career, Jupiter never hurt anyone, Barrett said.
Jupiter's journey was memorialized in a "Standardbred Old Friends," a Messenger Press book written by Ellen Harvey of New Jersey with photographs by Barbara Livingston of Saratoga Springs. The book profiles 43 pacers. At the time, Jupiter was the youngest.
Jupiter will be replaced by another pacer rescue, 11-year-old Most Fun Yet. Like Jupiter, he will be renamed, this time by the city's youngest residents. The police department is sponsoring a city-wide elementary school contest to rename Most Fun Yet. The class that comes up with the best name for the horse will be thrown a pizza party with police and Jupiter's replacement. The new team member will also work alongside King Tut, the city's other equine patrol officer.
Meanwhile, Barrett said, they are hoping to celebrate Jupiter's 14-years of service with a ceremony sometime after St. Patrick's Day.
"He deserves it," said Barrett who will miss his 1,200-pound partner. "But like I said, it's time and we found him a good home. We were always concerned about finding one for him and now we have it."
wliberatore@timesunion.com • 518-454-5445 • @wendyliberatore
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