CTT ISSUE 13.qxd:Jerkins feature.qxd
7/7/09
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CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED TRAINERS
Pegram honored by Gregson Foundation By Steve Schuelein The timing of the Edwin J. Gregson Foundation benefit to honor Mike and Mary Ellen Pegram on April 13 could not have been better. One week later, Pegram’s trainer, Bob Baffert, and his two-time champion filly, Silverbulletday, were elected to the Racing Hall of Fame, where they will be inducted during a ceremony at Saratoga on August 14. But first, owner-breeder Pegram and his wife took center stage at Twin Palms in Pasadena where they were feted by over 350 guests for their contributions to the racing industry. The benefit, hosted by California Thoroughbred Trainers, raised about $100,000 for the Foundation, the purpose of which is to improve the quality of life for California thoroughbred industry backstretch workers and their immediate families.
Since its inception nine years ago, the Foundation has raised about $2.8 million, most of which is used for scholarships and backstretch programs. Trainer Gregson was the driving force in the creation of the Foundation, which was later named in his memory. Pegram, who convinced Baffert to make the switch from quarter horses to thoroughbreds with him in 1988, has become one of the leading owners in the sport during the last two decades. His red and gold silks have been carried not only by Silverbulletday – champion filly in 1998 and 1999 with victories including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and Kentucky Oaks – but also 3-year-old champion Real Quiet following victories in the 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes and 2007 sprint champion Midnight Lute following the first of two Breeders’ Cup Sprint victories. Pegram has churned out almost as many stakes winners as hamburgers at his thriving
Above left: Joe Harper (President, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club), Mik e Pegram, Jim Cassidy (President, California Thoroughbred Trainers) and Jenine Sahadi (President, Edwin J. Gregson Foundation). Above right: Mike Pegram with Teresa Osorio (2008 Grant Recipient)
From left to right: Paul Weitman (owner), Brett Lindenbaum (owner), Bob Baffer t, Frank Mirahmadi (racecaller), Karl Watson (owner), Jill Baffert, P A Baffert and Brad McKinzie (Los Alamitos Racecourse consultant)
Mary Ellen and Mike Pegram
McDonald’s franchises, too many to be mentioned in this space. And he has done it all with a casual style that has won over friends and admirers. The program was emceed by Trevor Denman with colorful commentary provided by Pegram friends Brad McKinzie, Los Alamitos consultant, racecaller Frank Mirahmadi, and Baffert. Baffert wondered how he would have ever switched to thoroughbreds without the support and encouragement of Pegram. “You need three things to be successful in this business: passion, bankroll and stomach,” said Baffert of his favorite owner. “When I got down, he lifted me back up.” Pegram explained why he selected the white-haired Arizona native as his trainer. “I know that you lose more than you win, and I wanted to be with somebody I could have fun with.” Pegram expressed gratitude for the honor. “I’m very humbled to see the people I’ve followed up here as recipient of this award,” said Pegram in deference to previous winners. “My father told me to keep myself in the best of company and my horses in the worst of company, and I’ve been lucky with both.” Pegram joked about his attire. “I wore black because I was told there would be more people here tonight than there would be for my funeral,” he quipped. Pegram emphasized the importance of the Gregson Foundation. “If we take care of the kids on the backside, nothing but good can happen,” he said. One of the recipients is the daughter of Jim and Dana Barnes – assistant and past exercise rider, respectively, for Baffert – who is a political science major at UC San Diego with an eye toward law school. The Foundation has enabled more than 80 individuals to attend college. New grant recipients last year were Joseph Aragon, Samuel Almaraz, Jenee Brittney Barnes, Elizabeth Contreras, Noel Contreras Flores, Luciano Gonzalez, Maria Isabel Landeros Trujillo, Jesus Morfin, Roberto Mora, Teresa Osorio, Kevin Panian, and David Tellez. ISSUE 13 TRAINERMAGAZINE.com 11