16 minute read
Member Profle Larry and Carolyn Samovar
CTBA Member PROFILE LARRY AND CAROLYN SAMOVAR
BY EMILY SHIELDS
THE ACADEMICS OF CALIFORNIA RACING
Over the years, Academic Farms has had a parade of horses with a common naming theme: Lucky Student, Teachers Big Dream, and Wise Student. Perhaps the best of them was California-bred Easy Grader, a fourtime winner on the Southern California circuit who earned $175,733.
Enter Professors’ Pride, who runs for the f nal remaining member of Academic Farms: Larry Samovar. T e unbeaten Cal-bred daughter of Bayern—Last Resort, by Twirling Candy, recently won the $101,500 Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos, sparking joy in the hearts of 86-year-old Larry and his 79-year-old wife, Carolyn.
Long before Professors’ Pride burst onto the scene, three studious men started Academic Farms with a common goal.
“One was a pediatrician, one was a professor of journalism, and I was a professor in intercultural communication,” Larry said. “We each put in $1,000 and bought a horse from John and Betty Mabee at Golden Eagle Farm. We didn’t have any luck.”
Horses got hurt; horses ran unsuccessfully.
“We went through a lot of dif erent horses,” Samovar said. “We claimed, bought in England. We had no luck at all.
“We decided we weren’t claiming for enough money. We looked at a horse that had won her f rst race and was about to run in her second. We went from $1,000 each to claiming for $50,000.”
T e horse in question, Corissa’s Birthday, scored to remain undefeated, winning at Del Mar on Aug. 22, 2001.
“We were jumping up and down excited,” Samovar said.
But Samovar’s trainer and dear friend Eddie Truman was shaking his head, watching the track.
“She was being loaded in an ambulance, and in those days if you claimed a horse, you claimed the horse,” Samovar said.
Samovar had the Cal-bred Half Term f lly shipped to his farm in Ramona. A local vet fashioned a crutch for the injured leg, and Corissa’s Birthday survived to become an exceptional broodmare. She was responsible for seven winners from 10 foals to race, including Lucky
Carolyn and Larry Samovar after the Soviet Problem victory
© BENOIT PHOTOS
Student, by Game Plan, who won 10 of 47 starts with 24 top-three eforts and earnings of $260,733, and Our Road Scholar, by Mud Route, who only won six of her 43 starts but ran second 10 times and third eight times for earnings of $203,124.
As the other Academic Farms partners aged and ultimately passed away, Samovar found himself the owner of nine horses. But when Corissa’s Birthday was retired from breeding and the racehorses had gone on to other careers, Samovar was left without any.
Along with Carolyn, who was a history teacher at San Diego State University as well as the Academic Farms bookkeeper, Samovar approached bloodstock agent and longtime friend Gayle Van Leer for help.
“Gayle got us our very frst horse,” Larry recalled. “And I love running in Cal-bred races. So, I told her to try to fnd me a Cal-bred not located in California.”
Van Leer looked through more than 1,000 horses before settling on a quirky bay flly by Bayern. Professors’ Pride, bred by Glen Hill Farm, required a bid of $60,000 at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky fall yearling sale.
“Te very frst bid was nearly all I was going to spend,” Larry said. “But Gayle said this is a very good horse.”
Tey sent their new flly to EA Ranches, where the trouble began.
“Tey alerted us that she’s a pain in the butt,” Samovar said of Professors’ Pride. “She’s a lot of trouble, she’s aloof. We sent her to Eddie Truman. He says she’s too immature and sends her back to the farm. Tey work on her a few months, and now she’s ready to race.”
Professors’ Pride debuted at Del Mar Nov. 14, going of as the second choice in a feld of seven. She won by a length.
“Juan Hernandez won sitting on her like he could have been writing a letter,” Samovar said. Tough the ofers started to trickle in on the exciting flly, Samovar turned them all down, explaining, “I’m too old and I’ve waited too long.”
Professors’ Pride backed up that faith Dec.10 in the Soviet Problem over a mile on the dirt. She defeated the well-regarded Big Novel and six other rivals, scoring by three lengths in 1:36.94.
“She won with ease,” Samovar said. “Now she gets to run on Cal Cup day in a $200,000 race (the Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks).”
After the Soviet Problem, Truman said that the Samovars “have been clients of mine for 40 years and friends and have kept me alive during the down times. It is so great to win for people like that who love the business so much and stuck with me through thick and thin.”
As talented as she is, Professors’ Pride isn’t the gentle, cuddly horse they had hoped she would be.
“It’s been sad that she’s so aloof,” Larry said. “She’s not interested in anybody; she looks of into space. In the mornings she’s not the easiest thing to deal with, but she’s beautiful. Gigantic. Gayle did a wonderful job picking her.”
Professors’ Pride has earned $102,000 with her two victories in two starts.
As the Samovars have gotten older, breeding has been something the couple has let slide. Teir three paddocks at their Ramona property are empty, as Corissa’s Birthday is living out her days at EA Ranches and other retired horses have passed away.
“We weren’t ready to stop in racing, but wanted to stop breeding,” Larry said. “In this game you mainly have to be lucky, or God has to say to you, ‘You’ve been at this long enough. It’s time to get you another good horse.’ ”
With Professors’ Pride, the Samovars are headed to the front of the class.
In this game you mainly have to be lucky, or God has to say to you, ‘You’ve been at this long enough. It’s time to get you another good horse.’ ”
— Larry Samovar
PHOTOS COURTESY OF LARRY AND CAROLYN SAMOVAR
Top, the Samovars at their Academic Farms; above, Larry Samovar with the apple of his eye, Professors’ Pride
NOVEMBER 15, 2021 – DECEMBER 12, 2021
The accompanying list includes runners that are both California-foaled and California-sired winners in 2021 of all recent North American races, except straight claiming races.
Abbreviations used for the class of race are similar to those used by Equibase: Alw–allowance; Hcp–overnight handicap; names of stakes race are spelled out, with the grade of the race, when applicable, in parentheses.
3-YEAR-OLDS & UP
Acclamation—Silver Swallow: Silver Claim (49-24), g, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 12/3, 5f (T), 56.88, $24,180. Acclamation—Reba Is Tops: Rebalation (49-24), m, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STK, Bear Fan S., 12/11, 6f, 1:9.62, $45,000. Boisterous—Sky Diver: Flying to the Line (57-38), m, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, ALW, 11/22, about 7 1/2f, 1:31.03, $15,591. Candy Ride (ARG)—Warriorscmoutoplay: Admirably (217-111), g, 4 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 11/26, 6f, 1:10.14, $43,200. Circumference (IRE)—Rouge in Excess: Sherilinda (17-6), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, AOC, 12/10, 1 1/16mi, 1:44.78, $24,180. Clubhouse Ride—Scene Queen: Clubhouse Saint (55-28), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 11/23, about 1mi, 1:36.92, $7,562. Coil—Princess Ezra (GB): Principe Carlo (41-18), h, 5 yo, Del Mar, STK, Cary Grant S., 11/21, 7f, 1:22.33, $57,000. Elusive Warning—G Ma: Paper Boy (26-19), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 11/26, 6 1/2f, 1:16.45, $7,897. English Channel—Winds of March (IRE): Freeport
Joe (184-106), g, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields,
STK, Berkeley H. (gr. III ), 11/27, 1 1/16mi, 1:43.70, $60,000. Fullbridled—Phantom Ali: Fullbridledphantom (8-7), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 12/9, 1mi (T), 1:35.93, $15,245. Gallant Son—Carolina Grande: Carolina Mia (21-10), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 11/21, 5f (T), 56.53, $24,180. Gem Heist—Mama'ssaturdaynite: Saturday Heist (4-3), f, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STR, 12/4, 6f, 1:10.75, $23,760. Grazen—Open Mic: With Thatbeingsaid (103-56), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 11/24, 6f, 1:10.00, $13,975. Grazen—Unsung Heroine: Alice Marble (103-56), f, 4 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/9, 5 1/2f, 1:3.01, $42,900. Grazen—Dia Xenia: Rifey (103-56), g, 3 yo, Los
Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/10, 5 1/2f, 1:2.30, $33,000. Grazen—Tribal Dress: Clem Labine (103-56), g, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 12/10, 5 1/2f, 1:3.89, $16,120. Heatseeker (IRE)—You Can Dream: Queen Carmelita (24-12), m, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 11/21, 5 1/2f, 1:4.17, $7,500. James Street—Oh Molly Brannigan: Reiwa (16-8), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 11/20, 1 1/16mi (T), 1:46.10, $24,180. Mesa Thunder—Cinderella Liberty: Nevadan (1-1), g, 8 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 11/23, 4 1/2f, 51.42, $6,973. Midnight Lute—Debbie Sue: Close to Midnight (117-75), g, 7 yo, Remington Park, STR, 11/23, 1mi 70yd, 1:45.63, $8,757. Ministers Wild Cat—Ms Vanenzza: Old Indian Trick (87-48), g, 6 yo, Delta Downs, AOC, 11/20, 5f, 59.18, $22,800. Mr. Big—Patsy G and Me: Big Mama Sue (71-36), f, 3 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 11/28, 1 1/8mi (T), 1:50.16, $43,200. More Than Ready—Blessings Count: Miss Ever
Ready (214-98), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields,
STR, 11/28, 1mi, 1:37.84, $12,540. Peppered Cat—Siberian Song: Trina (25-12), m, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, WCL, 11/26, 6f, 1:10.81, $10,200. Peppered Cat—Ess Sa Ba: Lotsa Pepper (25-12), m, 5 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 12/12, 5f, 57.61, $24,180. Popular—Lemon Supreme: Popular Kid (2-1), g, 7 yo, Remington Park, STK, Jeffrey A.
Hawk Memorial S., 11/19, 1mi 70yd, 1:43.35, $60,000. Sea of Secrets—Kentucky Shampoo: Mon Camo (6-4), g, 6 yo, Mahoning Valley Race Course,
ALW, 12/8, 5 1/2f, 1:5.71, $14,100. Smart Bid—Tribal Syn: Tribal Bid (33-12), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 12/6, 5f (T), 57.10, $16,027. Smiling Tiger—Lottawampum: Kristi's Tiger (105-53), f, 4 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 11/19, 6 1/2f, 1:17.34, $43,200. Smiling Tiger—Q T Shae: Tiger Dad (105-53), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, STK, Luke Kruytbosch S., 11/26, 1mi, 1:36.32, $36,828. Square Eddie—Electric Daze: Whoa Nessie (93-45), m, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 11/15, 1mi (T), 1:36.04, $14,486. Square Eddie—Cryptic: Shinny (93-45), g, 4 yo,
Turf Paradise, SOC, 11/24, about 1mi, 1:35.49, $7,486. Square Eddie—Walkingonadream: Eddie's New
Dream (93-45), f, 3 yo, Del Mar, AOC, 11/25, 1 1/16mi (T), 1:42.68, $56,160. Square Eddie—Cash Shredder: Spendaholic (93-45), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, SOC, 11/29, 5 1/2f, 1:3.04, $10,555. Tom's Tribute—Birthday Surprise: Tom's Surprise (28-12), g, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 12/12, 1mi, 1:37.56, $12,240. Unionize—Midnite Mama: Union Leader (14-11), g, 6 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 11/21, 1mi, 1:39.81, $7,500. Unionize—Honeysuckle Rose: Cool Mountain Lad (14-11), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 12/10, 5 1/2f, 1:3.89, $16,120. Unusual Heat—Quickly Gone: Clearly Gone (27-14), m, 7 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 12/11, 1 1/8mi (T), 1:52.16, $24,180. Verrazano—Verticaleigh: Crooked Finger Ray (205-105), g, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 11/26, 5 1/2f, 1:3.64, $15,161. Will Take Charge—My Due Process: Maybe I Will (186-99), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, ALW, 12/3, 5 1/2f, 1:3.19, $24,180. 2-YEAR-OLDS
Bayern—Last Resort: Professors' Pride (122-83), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STK, Soviet
Problem S., 12/10, 1mi, 1:36.94, $60,000. Danzing Candy—Melanistic: Youteyourhonor (17-10), f, 2 yo, Del Mar, SOC, 11/27, 7f, 1:24.82, $32,400. Nyquist—Edwina E: Slow Down Andy (116-49), c, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STK, Los
Alamitos Futurity (gr. II ), 12/11, 1 1/16mi, 1:42.33, $180,000. Stanford—Tizadream: Tizlightning (29-12), g, 2 yo,
Del Mar, SOC, 11/19, 6f, 1:11.40, $32,400. Stanford—Sheza Firstsamurai: Love'em N
Leave'em (29-12), c, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields,
AOC, 12/11, 5f (T), 57.47, $24,180. Straight Fire—Gidget Girl: Straight Up G (13-9), c, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STK, King
Glorious S., 12/12, 1mi, 1:36.88, $60,000. Street Boss—Tuesdays With P: Ellamira (195-111), f, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STK, Golden Gate
Debutante S., 11/26, 6f, 1:11.41, $39,400. Tapit—Brookys Star: Brookys Tapit (226-108), g, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, STR, 12/12, 1mi, 1:40.56, $12,540.
MAIDENS
Big Bad Leroybrown—Grasp: Wonderfulwonderful (10-5), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 11/20, 5 1/2f, 1:5.12, $5,500. Boisterous—Silent Fusaichi: Loud Fusaichi (57-38), f, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 11/27, 5f, 58.63, $6,600. Boisterous—Unstoppablepassion: Running for
Gold (57-38), f, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/3, 5f, 59.83, $6,300.
CAPITAL ACCOUNT BG Thoroughbred Farm (951) 654 9100 www.bgthoroughbreds.com
Capital Account—My Yammy Heat: Closing
Account (11-5), f, 2 yo, Turf Paradise, MOC, 12/6, 6f, 1:10.72, $13,154. Clubhouse Ride—Plan a Surprise: Trojan Clubhouse (55-28), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/4, 1mi, 1:39.10, $5,500. Commissioner—Lindz Winz: Suzie Qzz Brother (120-59), g, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course,
MSW, 12/5, 5 1/2f, 1:3.56, $20,800. Creative Cause—Laugh N Yodel: Larry's Legend (189-96), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MOC, 11/17, 6f, 1:9.99, $12,772. Curlin to Mischief—Gotta Skedaddle: Copper
Charm (36-17), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MOC, 11/23, 1mi, 1:38.81, $12,644. Curlin to Mischief—Roses for Joni: Fowler Blue (36-17), g, 2 yo, Del Mar, MCL, 11/28, 6f, 1:11.97, $21,600. Curlin to Mischief—Paris Design: Affectionto
Autism (36-17), g, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields,
MCL, 12/5, 5 1/2f, 1:4.81, $8,400. Danzing Candy—Public House: Franklin One Star (17-10), g, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course,
MSW, 12/3, 5 1/2f, 1:4.59, $31,200. Danzing Candy—Moonlight Caper: O'Neill's Legacy (17-10), f, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/4, 6f, 1:12.54, $8,400. Danzing Candy—After All (IRE): After the Candy (17-10), g, 2 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 12/6, 5 1/2f, 1:4.69, $7,504. Empire Way—Rugula: Twilight Empire (61-24), f, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 12/5, 5 1/2f, 1:4.22, $23,400. The Factor—Seoul Unbridled: Pyeong Chang (198-116), g, 4 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course,
MCL, 12/3, 6f, 1:10.43, $21,600.
NOVEMBER 15, 2021 – DECEMBER 12, 2021
FIGHTING HUSSAR BG Thoroughbred Farm (951) 654 9100 www.bgthoroughbreds.com
Fighting Hussar—Lovely Instinct: Handsome
Hussar (7-3), g, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 11/25, 1mi, 1:42.92, $6,600. Flat Out—Maryneill: Nan Elizabeth (207-126), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/11, 5f, 59.00, $5,500. Forest Command—Saturday Premium: Premiumonsaturday (10-5), f, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race
Course, MSW, 12/9, 5 1/2f, 1:3.37, $31,200. Frosted—Knacque: In Dreams (143-58), c, 2 yo,
Churchill Downs, MCL, 11/24, 5 1/2f, 1:3.25, $35,280. Gem Heist—Dream Broker: Dream Robber (4-3), r, 3 yo, Del Mar, MCL, 11/20, 5 1/2f, 1:5.27, $21,600.
GIG HARBOR Victory Rose Thoroughbreds (707) 678 6580 www.victoryrose.com
Gig Harbor—Sugar Cane Royalty: Sugar Beets (9-7), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/4, 1mi, 1:38.82, $6,300. Grazen—Wonderfulaliciaann: Winter Star (103-56), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 11/18, 6 1/2f, 1:18.88, $6,016. Grazen—Dia Xenia: Rifey (103-56), g, 3 yo, Del
Mar, MSW, 11/21, 6f, 1:10.74, $42,000. Grazen—Sudden Sunday: Rose Dawson (103-56), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MSW, 12/5, 5 1/2f, 1:4.68, $31,200. Heatseeker (IRE)—Madame Heat: Heat N Reheat (24-12), g, 4 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/5, 6f, 1:10.84, $8,400. Hoorayforhollywood—Star Catch: Star Entry (6-2), c, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/9, 5 1/2f, 1:3.82, $21,600. Lakerville—Red Intrigue: Worthy of Magic (31-16), f, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 11/28, 6f, 1:12.00, $23,400. Lakerville—Byballot: Chao Mar (31-16), f, 3 yo, Los
Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/12, 1mi, 1:38.76, $13,800. Macho Uno—Madaket: Me Macho (71-45), g, 5 yo, Los
Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/4, 1mi, 1:38.70, $13,800. Magician (IRE)—Handfull: Hands Off (66-26), c, 2 yo,
Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/10, 1mi (T), 1:40.12, $7,800.
MANY RIVERS Victory Rose Thoroughbreds (707) 678 6580 www.victoryrose.com
Many Rivers—Lara Antipova: Mystic Traveler (17-13), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 11/26, 6f, 1:11.13, $6,300. Many Rivers—Catch of the Day: Fishin the River (17-13), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 12/1, 1mi, 1:39.42, $6,319. Mr. Big—Christiana's Heat: Uncle Fred (71-36), g, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MSW, 12/5, 5 1/2f, 1:3.56, $20,800. Mr. Big—Irish Exchange: Big Shamrock (71-36), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/12, 5 1/2f, 1:3.93, $21,600. Mohaymen—Alseera: Precious Insight (42-17), f, 2 yo,
Del Mar, MSW, 11/19, 1mi (T), 1:37.80, $42,000. Phantom Wildcat—Santoku: Tolonisito (17-10), c, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 11/28, 6f, 1:10.74, $23,400. Richard's Kid—Foxy Jade: J and K Express (34-17), f, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 11/27, 5 1/2f, 1:4.81, $23,400. Roi Charmant—Humming Beethoven: Hello Handsome (12-7), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 11/22, 6f, 1:11.92, $5,894. Sapphire Cat—Big Honey Bee: Excessive Cat (5-3), g, 3 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/11, 5 1/2f, 1:4.19, $6,300. Shanghai Bobby—Sweet Proft: Jaime Jamel (176-96), g, 3 yo, Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races,
MCL, 12/1, 4 1/2f, 53.98, $7,104. Sierra Sunset—Starry Cat: Starry Sierra (27-8), r, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 11/28, 5f, 58.90, $6,600.
SMILING TIGER Harris Farms (800) 311 6211 www.harrisfarms.com
Smiling Tiger—Aerial Prancer: Miss Sprinkles (105-53), f, 3 yo, Hollywood Casino At Charles Town Races,
MSW, 11/24, 7f, 1:28.68, $17,742. Square Eddie—Predicate: Square Root (93-45), g, 4 yo,
Turf Paradise, MCL, 12/3, 5f, 58.77, $7,580. Straight Fire—Gidget Girl: Straight Up G (13-9), c, 2 yo,
Del Mar, MSW, 11/21, 6f, 1:10.37, $42,000. Straight Fire—Doowop Shedoo: Carasynthia (13-9), f, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MSW, 11/25, 1mi, 1:41.12, $23,400. Tapit—Brookys Star: Brookys Tapit (226-108), g, 2 yo,
Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 11/19, 1 1/16mi, 1:48.02, $7,800.
TEXAS RYANO Arroyo Vista Farm 760 913 5052 www.arroyovistafarm.com
Texas Ryano—Cynical: Surely Spectacular (4-2), f, 2 yo,
Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/5, 5 1/2f, 1:5.80, $16,200. U S Ranger—Visual Treat: Nationwide Pride (49-24), g, 2 yo, Golden Gate Fields, MCL, 12/12, 1mi, 1:42.65, $6,300. Violence—War Briefng: Measureofdevotion (219-106), f, 4 yo, Los Alamitos, MCL, 11/20, 4 1/2f, 51.82, $3,760. Vronsky—Dafne's Echo: Va Va Voom (80-44), m, 5 yo,
Del Mar, MSW, 11/19, 5f (T), 57.47, $54,600. Vronsky—Moscow Rising: Rise Up Moscow (80-44), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 11/26, 6 1/2f, 1:17.39, $7,581. Vronsky—Approved to Fly: Supersonic Flyer (80-44), f, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/11, 5 1/2f, 1:4.75, $21,600.
