April/May 2021 The Florida Horse

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Ocala, Florida 34474 • (352) 732-8858 www.ftboa.com Brock Sheridan E. Jane Murray Tammy A. Gantt Antoinette Griseta Nancy Moffatt Emily Mills Jeff Powell LONNY TAYLOR POWELL PEGGY YOST

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FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT CEO & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FIRST VICE PRESIDENT SECOND VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER

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DIRECTORS Fred Brei, T. Paul Bulmahn, Marilyn Campbell, Nick de Meric, Laurine Fuller-Vargas, Bobby Jones, Richard Kent, Milan Kosanovich, Joseph M. O’Farrell III, Francis Vanlangendonck, Dr. Fred Yutani PAST PRESIDENTS Greg Wheeler, Gilbert G. Campbell, Don Dizney, John C. Weber,MD, Douglas Oswald CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/ ASSISTANT TREASURER Peggy Yost ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT/ MEMBER SERVICES & EVENTS Tammy A. Gantt ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT/ ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS E. Jane Murray EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ ASSISTANT SECRETARY Becky Robinson REGISTRATIONS & PAYMENTS COORDINATOR Sheila Budden THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

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April/May 2021

VOL 64/ISSUE 4

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS 6

THE BROCK TALK

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FLORIDA FOCUS

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National Florida-bred statistics

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FLORIDA-BREDS AROUND THE COUNTRY EL POTRO

— By Roberto Rodriguez

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FTBOA MEMBERSHIP UPDATE — By Tammy A. Gantt

FEATURES 20

Florida-bred Extravagant Kid won the US$1 Million Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai — By Brock Sheridan

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Review of the top selling thoroughbreds at the OBS March Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale — By Brock Sheridan

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The class of 2020 Florida-breds earned top rankings — By JoAnn Guidry

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Top sires receive awards — By JoAnn Guidry

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GULFSTREAM PARK ANNOUNCES NEW SCHEDULE

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Tampa Bay Downs and the FTBOA presented the 18th renewal of the Florida Cup

EXTRAVAGANT KID

OBS MARCH SALE

FTBOA CHAMPIONS - FAME & FORTUNE

INDUSTRY LEADERS HONORED

FLORIDA CUP AT TAMPA BAY DOWNS

— By Brock Sheridan

COVER PHOTO OF EXTRAVAGANT KID: COADY COVER PHOTO OF TROPHY PRESENTATION: DUBAI RACING CLUB CONTENTS PHOTO OF QUEEN NEKIA: RYAN THOMPSON

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

the Brock talk

Brock Sheridan Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Communications JOHN D. FILER PHOTO

Kentucky Recognition for Florida-breds C

ongratulations to Charlotte Weber and her Live Oak Plantation on qualifying yet another homebred in the Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa (Grade 1) runnerup Soup and Sandwich for the Kentucky Derby presented

by Woodford Reserve (G1). I write this in mid-April— but should he start, Soup and Sandwich will be the fifth Derby starter bred by her Live Oak Stud and raced in the notable white, red and blacks silks of her Live Oak Plantation. Soup and Sandwich will also be her second Derby starter in three years following Win Win Win, who now stands at Ocala Stud and who finished ninth in the 2019 Derby. Other Live Oak Stud-bred and owned Derby starters include Laser Light (second in 1982), High Fly (10th in 2005) and Brilliant Speed (7th in 2011).

The other Florida-bred to qualify for the Derby this year is the Gail Rice-bred Medina Spirit. Rice has never bred a Derby starter prior to Medina Spirit, but last year she was represented by Florida-bred Speech, who finished third in the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks. An Oaks starter one year followed by a Derby runner the next is a notable accomplishment for a thoroughbred breeding operation of any size. But it is a feat of particular notoriety for Rice and her modest thoroughbred operation.

Churchill Downs began keeping state-bred records on Derby starters in 1966, so their statistics don’t count 1956 winner Needles nor Carry Back, the Florida-bred winner of the 1961 Kentucky Derby.

But since 1966 when Churchill began using state-bred statistics, Florida breeders have produced 110 Derby starters with four winners, five seconds and seven thirds.

The six Florida-bred Derby winners compare favorably to all other states save Kentucky with their 112 winners. Silver Charm (1997), Unbridled (1990), Affirmed (1978), Foolish Pleasure (1975), Carry Back (1961) and Needles (1956) outnumber California Chrome (2014), 6

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

Decidedly (1962), Swaps (1955) and Morvich (1922) for California; and Sea Hero (1993), Pleasant Colony (1981), Secretariat (1973) and Reigh Count (1928) for Virginia, who are next in the rankings at four each.

The surprise in the top five states who have produced Derby winners is Tennessee with three starters in Typhoon (1897), Kingman (1891) and Lord Murphy (1879). State and countries with two winners each include Canada, England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas.

The best Kentucky Derby for Florida-bred enthusiasts may have been 1997 when Silver Charm and Captain Bodgit finished one-two. However, there have been several other years when the Kentucky Derby was filled with Florida flavor including 1982 when six of the 19 starters and in 1983 when six of the 20 starters were bred in the Sunshine State. In 1982 Laser Light was second, Reinvested (3rd), Muttering (5th), Star Gallant (8th), Music Leader (15th) and Wolfie’s Rascal (17th).

The 1983 field included Florida-breds, Pax in Bello (7th), My Mac (14th), Explosive Wagon (15th), Luv a Libra (18th), Law Talk (19th) and Total Departure (20th).

There were five Florida-breds in the 2011, 2005 and 1982 Derbies.

Although it has been since 1997 when Silver Charm became the last Florida-bred to don the blanket of roses at Churchill, there have been several good performances

by Florida-breds including Mucho Macho Man (third in 2011); Denis of Cork (third in 2008) and Closing Argument and Afleet Alex (second and third respectively in 2005).

So good luck to Soup and Sandwich and Medina Spirit at Churchill in the Kentucky Derby. Hopefully they will add to the Florida-bred accomplishments and lore individually or as a pair.

At the very least, a local restaurant needs to recognize them as a lunch menu item. ■

Florida Focus

by Brock Sheridan

Florida-bred The Goddess Lyssa Goes Gate to Wire to Win Minaret Florida-bred Goddess Lyssa broke like a shot from post four and never looked back on her way to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory in the $50,000 Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 13.

The Minaret showcased a field of six fillies and mares, 4-years-old and older, who went six furlongs.

Trained by Gerald Bennett for Mary K. Thomas in the name of her Team Equistaff Inc., the Goddess Lyssa led by a length-and-a-half ahead of Poseidon’s Passion in second with Heiressall to her inside in third as the Florida-bred trio completed the first-quarter-mile in :22.23 on the track listed as good.

The Goddess Lyssa went around the turn without a threat and widened her lead to two lengths at the top of the stretch as she clicked off a :45.07 half-mile split. She extended her margin in the run to the wire and finished up in 1:10.02 as Bronx Beauty rallied from fourth to finish second, a half-length better than supplemental entry Poseidon’s Passion in third. They were followed in order by Heiressall, Caught Up in You and Tale of Success.

Florida-bred The Goddess Lyssa SV Photography The final time was just .39 seconds off Spanish Concert’s 2017 stakes record.

Bennett said he thought the track record of OBITUARY 1:08.67, set by Florida-bred It’s Me Mom in John Fernung 2012, could have possibly been threatened had the Minaret been run on a track listed as fast.

Longtime thoroughbred horseman John Fernung, 79, passed It’s Me Mom is also a winner of the away on March 5, 2020, in Ocala, Fla. In the early 1970s, Fernung Minaret having won the 2011 renewal. was the racing manager for the powerful Dan Lasater Racing It was the second consecutive year BenStable. Lasater Stable was the leading money winning stable in nett won the Minaret having taken the race in the country five consecutive years and won three Eclipse Awards 2020 with the recently retired Florida-bred during that time. During Fernung’s tenure as Lasater’s racing champion Lady’s Island. manager, the stable raced Grade 1 winners, Hot N Nasty, Honky After the race, Centeno said he was pleased Star and Royal Glint among others. with how she handled the off track and that In the late 1970s, Fernung relocated from the racetrack to John Fernung The Goddess Lyssa continues to improve. become Lasater’s Farm Manager in Ocala. During the next few “For her first time on a muddy track, she years Fernung and Lasater developed a nationally renowned stallion station. Among the ran really good,” Centeno said. “She likes to stallions they brought to Ocala were North America’s leading sire in 1981, Nodouble, his run on the lead, and I got her to relax well. sire, Noholme II, Holy Bull’s sire, Great Above, and Silver Charm’s sire, Silver Buck.

“She was a little nervous at the start of her When Lasater dispersed his thoroughbred holdings in 1984, Fernung purchased the career, but she keeps getting better and [Benone-thousand acre facility in partnership with another Eclipse Award winner, John Franks, nett] is doing a great job with her.” to form Southland Farm. During his tenure with Franks, Fernung syndicated At The Fresh off of a 10-length score in a secondThreshold, sire of 1992 Kentucky Derby (G1)-winner, Lil E Tee. level, $32,000 optional claiming allowance Fernung also mentored several members of his family who entered the thoroughbred inrace on Jan. 6 at Tampa Bay Downs in which dustry. Among them is his brother, Brent Fernung, who along with his wife, Crystal are the she also led the six furlong test from start to owners of Journeyman Stud in Ocala. Fernung’s nephew, Scott Warner is the farm manager finish, The Goddess Lyssa went to the post as of Robert S. Evan’s Courtland Farm in Maryland. John Fernung’s son, Andrew is the latest the 4-5 favorite and paid $3.80 to win. member of the family to enter the thoroughbred industry. Andrew is currently the sales coBred in Florida by Brent and Crystal Ferordinator for Eddie Woods Stable. nung, The Goddess Lyssa is by Fury Kapcori, John Fernung is also survived by daughter Nicole Fernung, grandson Bryce (Andrew and who stands at the Fernung’s Journeyman Stud, Cally), brothers Jerry Fernung (Barbee) and Andrew S. Fernung, sister Linda Warner and and she is out of Amazing Beauty, by Disthree nephews and four nieces. ■ ■

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torted Humor. She is the first black type stake-winner for Fury Kapcori, who has also sired Christmas Dance, winner of the $25,000 Jack Hardy Stakes at Assiniboia Downs in July of 2020.

It was the fifth victory in seven starts for the 4-year-old The Goddess Lyssa, who won her first three starts including a 12 ½ romp against $4,000 maiden claimers in her debut over five-and-a-half furlongs on Jan. 11, 2020.

She then won a first-level, $75,000 optional claiming allowance race over six furlongs three weeks later and a $4,000 starter allowance on March 13, also at six furlongs with all three races coming at Tampa Bay Downs.

The $30,000 first-place check in the Minaret increased The Goddess Lyssa’s career bankroll to $93,915, proving a good return on her $10,000 price tag paid by Thomas at the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Open Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training where she was consigned by the Fernungs under the banner of their Journeyman Bloodstock Services.

“I had a good shopping partner with me, Gerald Bennett,” Ocala-resident Thomas said.

“It was early in the day, there weren’t too many people there and we got a good bargain.

We’ve given her some time and she has come back strong, and I’m very excited.” ■

for owner Ken Copenhaver and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr., who also saddled eventual fourth-place finisher Gibbrish, a winner of three straight including the $100,000 Treasure Chest Stakes at Delta Downs in November in her last start.

Queen Nekia appeared to be running to expectations early in the mile-and-one-sixteenth Royal Delta as she was last of eight around the clubhouse turn and more than six lengths behind early leader Mrs. Danvers, who finished the first two furlongs in :23.31 with Gibberish to her in- Florida-bred Queen Nekia (right) Lauren King Photo side in second.

Queen Nekia’s momentum as they reached the As the fillies and mares headed into the top of the stretch after six furlongs in 1:11.53. far turn after a :47.48 half-mile, Queen Nekia But a tiring Gibberish left open a slight ophad just one horse beat, but Lanerie suddenly portunity on the rail of which Queen Nekia pressed the pedal around the far turn on and Lanerie exposed with a quick burst to Queen Nekia and they quickly passed horses challenge the now front-running Eres Tu to with a rail skimming run. her outside. Those two raced in tandem in the With a quarter-mile to run, Mrs. Danvers, run for home before Queen Nekia prevailed Gibberish and Eres Tu had formed a three-horse Continued on next page barrier on the lead that momentarily halted ■

Florida-bred Queen Nekia Dictates Big Upset in Royal Delta Stakes Florida-bred Queen Nekia went to the post in the Grade 3 Royal Delta at Gulfstream Park Feb. 21 with her only black type victory and last winning effort coming four starts back on Aug. 28 in the $150,000 Dance to Bristol Stakes at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Five of the seven fillies and mares she was facing were winners in their last starts including 3-2 favorite Mrs. Danvers and 2-1 second choice Eres Tu, both of whom had won Grade 3 stakes in their previous starts.

With odds of nearly 30-1 in the $100,000 Royal Delta, Queen Nekia and jockey Corey Lanerie rolled to a length-and-a-quarter upset THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

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Florida Focus

Florida-bred Miss Auramet ■ SV Photography

in a time of 1:43.02.

Eres Tu was four-and-three-quarters lengths ahead to Bajan Girl in third followed in order by Gibberish, Mrs. Danvers, Hallawallah, High Regard and Dream Marie.

“It set up good. I saw a little pace on paper, and she broke really good. I was trying to get over to the rail, and then finally I just kind of let all the speed go and got back a little bit— probably a little bit further than I wanted to,” Lanerie said following his third victory of the day. “When I called on her, I had a lot of horse.”

The victory for Queen Nekia also avenged a fourth-place finish behind her stablemate in the one mile Treasure Chest Stakes, which was run over a sloppy and sealed track. “[For] both horses, since they ran together at Delta Downs, this has been the intended target—give them a freshening and train them together. Gibberish, I don’t think she was at her best, plus I think the pace didn’t help her,” Joseph said. “Queen Nekia finished third last year [in the Royal Delta]. She’s a deserving winner. She’s a filly that deserved a Grade 3.

She’s a filly we claimed for $25,000, and this makes her so much more valuable.”

Joseph snagged Queen Nekia for $25,000 out of a first condition, optional claiming allowance that she won by six lengths at Gulfstream in December of 2019. She then won a second level, $62,500 allowance optional claiming in her next start before finishing third 10

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

in the 2020 Royal Delta won by another Florida-bred in Cookie Dough.

The 6-year-old Queen Nekia has now won 10 of 32 career starts with six seconds and seven thirds and the $60,140 firstplace check increased her earnings to $489,876. She paid $60.60 to win.

The dark bay or brown mare is by Harlington out of All Night Labor, by Double Honor and was bred by Porter Racing Stable LLC. Florida-breds have now won half of the last eight runnings of the Royal Delta with Sheer Drama taking the 2015 version and Devil’s Cave winning the year before when the race was known as the Sabin Stakes. ■

Miss Auramet Rallies to Win Lightning City Stakes After finishing 2020 with three straight wins, Florida-bred Miss Auramet advanced into stakes company for the new year but missed in her first two attempts after a bad start in the $75,000 Abundantia Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 1 and a runner-up finish to Florida-bred juggernaut Lady’s Island in the $100,000 Lady’s Turf Sprint, which was moved to main track on Feb. 6 at Gulfstream.

But the 5-year-old Florida-bred mare was on point Feb. 24 at Tampa Bay Downs as she ran down early leaders Payntdembluesaway, the 9-5 favorite; and Florida-bred The Goddess Lyssa in mid-stretch to win the $75,000 Lightning City and earn her first career stakes victory.

The Lightning City, which saw a full field of 12 fillies and mares sprint five furlongs on the turf, also featured a $25,000 bonus for Florida-breds who finished in the top six paid on a 60-20-10-5-3-2 percent basis.

Payntdembluesaway and The Goddess Lyssa both faded late in the Lightning City to finish fourth and seventh respectively as Ode to Joy rallied for second and finished a halflength better than another late run put in by Sethamee Street in third. Florida-bred The Great Kath was fifth and in addition to her share of the purse, earned 2% of the $25,000 Florida-bred bonus.

They were followed by Jeanie B in sixth, then The Goddess Lyssa, Royal Collection, Florida-bred Lenzi’s Lucky Lady, Roman d’Oro, Florida-bred Bluefield and Weekend Fun. Lenzi’s Lucky Lady and The Goddess Lyssa broke fastest of all but were quickly joined by Payntdembluesaway in the initial strides before The Goddess Lyssa and jockey Daniel Centeno took command going into the turn.

The Goddess Lyssa and Payntdembluesaway went together around the bend, a length-and-a-half ahead of Lenzi’s Lucky Lady in third as Miss Auramet stalked them from fourth through a blazing :20.78 first quarter.

Payntdembluesaway stuck a head in front of The Goddess Lyssa turning for home as Miss Auramet moved into third while racing three-wide. Payntdembluesaway surged to the lead mid-way for home but Miss Auramet ran her down in the final sixteenth and crossed under the wire a half-length better than the hard charging pair of Ode to Joy in second and Sethamee Street in third in a final time of :55.30 on the firm turf and the same clocking as the Turf Dash earlier on the card.

She paid $18 to win.

Trained by Eddie Plesa Jr. for David Melin, Leon Ellman and Laurie Plesa, Miss Auramet won for the eighth-time in 19 starts while finishing second five times and third twice. She banked the $45,000 winner’s share of the purse plus $15,000 in Florida-bred bonus money to increase her career earnings to $349,750.

Plesa said Allison De Luca, the Tampa Continued on page12

Florida Focus Bay Downs racing secretary, was instrumental in his decision to keep Miss Auramet in the race after the two postponements. Both the Lightning City and the Turf Dash run earlier in the card had been originally scheduled for Feb. 13. But excessive rain on the turf course prompted Tampa Bay Downs management to postpone the two races to Feb. 20 then again to Feb. 24.

“It was disappointing because I was thinking about running her next week [in the Captiva Island Stakes at Gulfstream, which is also five furlongs on the turf],” Plesa said from south Florida. “Allison was on top of her business like all good racing secretaries are supposed to be and kept me informed what was happening there with the weather and the turf course.

Plesa eventually sent Miss Auramet to the Mar. 6 Captiva Island, which was rained off the turf. Miss Auramet finished second to A Bit of Both. (See full story on page 15).

“If it wasn’t for Allison, [Miss Auramet] would not have been in the race,” Plesa said.

“That said, I thought she had an excellent chance of winning. The jockey knew her and gave her a perfect ride.”

Plesa also won the Lightning City in 2018 with Miz Mayhem, owned by his wife.

Jockey Roberto Alvarado Jr., who also rode Miss Auramet to victory last August at Delaware, said he was also optimistic before the race.

“I knew she is a good breaker. There was a lot of speed in the race, but I knew I was going to be close and when she was ready, I just let her roll,” Alvarado said. “Other horses were coming late, but she kept digging in so I wasn’t too worried. She’s an honest horse who always tries hard, on dirt and turf.”

Plesa said the victory was a welcome tonic for co-owner David Melin, who is currently hospitalized after a fall. “We were able to talk afterward and he is really pleased.”

Miss Auramet is by Uncaptured out of Hello Susie, by Yes It’s True and was bred by Marion G. Montanari. ■ 12

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Continued from page 10

Gaffalione Notches Career Win No. 1,500 at Gulfstream

“I’m just living the dream.”

Tyler also holds a share of the Gulfstream Park record for most wins on a card, becoming only the second jockey with seven winners July 4, 2017. Jerry Bailey (March 11, 1996), Luis Saez (Jan. 24, 2018 and March 29, 2018) and Paco Lopez (March 11, 2020) have also ridden seven winners in a day. ■

Last Judgment Rules in Challenger Stakes

Tyler Gaffalione ■ Churchill Downs Photo

Last Judgment continued his pattern of winning every other start March 6 at Tampa Bay Downs as the Florida-bred gelding won the $100,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger Stakes (Grade 3) against a solid group of four other older horses going a mile-and-one-sixteenth.

The 7-year-old son of Congrats repeated his wire-to-wire victory two starts prior in the $75,000 Sunshine Classic at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 16 as he again led from start to finish in the Challenger.

Last Judgment had a two length lead at the top of the stretch after six furlongs in 1:11.37 and was never threatened thereafter as he cruised to a two-and-a-quarter-length victory in 1:41.98 on the fast track with Modernist second, a length-and-a-quarter in front of War Stopper in third. Letmeno and Jungle Fighter completed the order of finish.

Tyler Gaffalione has notched yet another career milestone at Gulfstream Park, where he rode his 1,500th winner while guiding Florida-bred and Jacks or Better Farm-homebred Awesome Pudding to a debut victory on Feb. 24 in Race 4, a six-furlong dash for $50,000 maiden claimers.

The 26-year-old native of Davie, Fla., rode his first winner, Holdin Bullets, at Gulfstream Sep. 7, 2014 and reached the 1,000-win milestone aboard Mission From Elle at the Hallandale Beach track Dec. 30, 2018.

Gaffalione, who won the Eclipse Award as the nation’s leading apprentice while riding full time at Gulfstream in 2015, teamed with trainer Ralph Nicks for three victories on the Feb. 24 program. They scored backto-back victories with Floridabred Shoug ($5.60) in Race 3 and Awesome Pudding ($28.60) in Race 4 before winning Race 6 with Floridabred Dassult Mirage ($9).

“I’ve been so fortunate during my career. I’ve always gotten tremendous support from the owners and trainers.

I owe a lot to my agent Matt Muzikar. These horses keep showing up,” Gaffalione said.

Florida-bred Last Judgment

Continued on page 14

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SV Photography

Florida Focus Last Judgement paid $4.80 as the 7-5 favorite.

“It looked like he should be forwardly placed and that’s how the race was run,” winning trainer Mike Maker said. “He seemed to be well within himself the whole way. He got into a nice rhythm and kept it going. We tried to chase Knicks Go in the Pegasus. I’ll try to spot him more appropriately the rest of the year.”

After Last Judgment won the Sunshine Classic, Maker sent him against some of the best older horses in North America in the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream on Jan. 23 where he chased eventual winner Knicks Go through the first six furlongs before fading to eighth of 12.

“Mike’s instructions were to take the lead and he broke really sharp and made an easy lead all the way to the wire,” Centeno said. “[Letmeno] got a little close to me past the half-mile pole, but my horse grabbed the bit again and I knew I had plenty of horse left. It looks like he can run all day. It’s nice when you get a lead like that and the horse is enjoying being out there all by himself.”

Last Judgment was claimed by current owner Steve Hornstock for $62,500 out of a second condition allowance optional claiming race going six-and-a-half furlongs that he won by a head in October at Belmont. Hornstock then partnered with the Michael Dubb, Bethlehem Stables LLC and Nice Guys Stables on Last Judgment and they immediately

Florida-bred A Bit of Both ■ Lauren King Photo

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

Continued from page 12

tried him unsuccessfully against Grade 3 company in the Mr. Prospector Stakes won by Sleepy Eyes Todd at Gulfstream on Dec. 19 before they won the Sunshine Classic against Florida-breds.

His win loss pattern started two races before the aforementioned claim when he won a seven furlong claiming race at Saratoga on Sept. 6, a race in which trainer Thomas Morley tagged him for $40,000 before sending him in a second condition, $62,500 optional claiming race going six furlongs at Belmont Park where he finished fifth behind winner Big Engine.

Out of Fantasy Forest, by Foresty and bred

by Woodford Thoroughbreds, Last Judgment now has seven wins in 17 starts with a secomd and a third and earnings of $352,965.

He was a $300,000 purchase by bloodstock agent Steven W. Young at the 2018 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale where he was consigned by Bobby Dodd. Dodd bought him for Grand Oaks for $90,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton October from the Woodford consignment. ■

A Bit of Both Tops Florida-bred Trifecta in Captiva Island Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables, Darsan Inc., Bethlehem Stables and David Simon’s A Bit of Both made a late run in deep stretch during a driving rain storm to win the $75,000 Captiva Island ahead of odds-on favorite Miss Auramet and Tracy Ann’s Legacy and lead a Florida-bred trifecta at Gulfstream Park on March 6.

The Captiva Island was originally slated to be run at five furlongs on the turf, but it was decided while the fillies and mares were in the paddock that it would be

moved to the main track due to the wet weather. Despite the late decision, the field was reduced only to seven with Karak being the lone late scratch.

Miss Auramet, who had a win and a second on two other off tracks moved from the turf at Gulfstream, was made the 4-5 favorite at post time with A Bit of Both the second choice at 7-2. Although A Bit of Both had an off-the-turf victory at Churchill Downs over a fast track in November against allowance fillies, in her last start, she was fifth in the Ladies Turf Sprint taken off the grass and won

by Florida-bred champion Lady’s Island with Miss Auramet second over a sloppy track on Feb. 6 at Gulfstream.

Queen of Shade took the early lead from post one with Tracy Ann’s Legacy to her outside in second with Miss Auramet third as they went into the first turn. Meanwhile A Bit of Both had one horse beat and was four lengths off the pace after a first-quarter split in :22.48.

Miss Auramet skimmed the rail turning for home and took a short lead ahead of Tracy Ann’s Legacy to her outside in second as they finished the half-mile in :45.90. Farther back, A Bit of Both was sent five-wide around the turn by jockey Jose Ortiz but did not appear to be within striking distance at the top of the stretch.

Miss Auramet appeared to be on her way to victory inside the final furlong when A Bit of Both appeared with her late charge from the middle of the course. Miss Auramet continued strong to the finish but was unable to hold of A Bit of Both, who got up late to win by a half-length.

Tracy Ann’s Legacy was a resilient third, another half-length back and a length-and-ahalf ahead of Choose Joy in fourth. They were followed in order by Nightlife, Compensate and Queen of Shades.

The final time was :58.93.

A Bit of Both, who was also fifth going five-and-a-half furlongs on the Fair Grounds turf in the $75,000 Pan Zareta Stakes won by Ellez two starts prior on Dec. 5, improved to

Florida-bred Willie Boi ■ Ryan Thompson Photo

three wins in her previous five races. She defeated allowance fillies at Keeneland in October before she won the off-turf allowance at Churchill.

She now has 10 wins in 18 career starts with two seconds and a third and the $45,570 first-place check for owners Michael Dubb, Madaket Stables LLC, Darsan Inc., Bethlehem Stables LLC and David Simon increased her lifetime earnings to $433,253.

By Paynter out of Lizzie K., by High Fly, A Bit of Both was bred by Darsan Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC. She is a graduate of the 2017 Ocala Breeders’ Sales October Mixed Sale where Darsan purchased her back for $10,000. ■

Willy Boi Remains Unbeaten As a Sprinter With Hutcheson Win After winning his first two career starts, both at six furlongs, Florida-bred Willy Boi tried a mile-and-one-sixteenth against some of the best of his class but was unsuccessful with an off-the-board finish in the Grade 3 Holy Bull won by Greatest Honour, who won the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth on Feb. 27 in his next start.

Willy Boi returned to the six furlong distance in the $75,000 Hutcheson Stakes at

Gulfstream Park March 6 and remained undefeated in three starts at the distance after a length-and-a-quarter victory with jockey Corey Lanerie aboard.

Florida-bred Warrior’s Pride went to the front shortly after the start from post one with Willy Boi and 4-5 favorite Roderick together in second to his outside and those three raced in tandem into the turn after a :21.97 first quarter-mile over the sloppy and sealed track.

Turning for home, Willy Boi took a slight advantage while racing between Warrior’s Pride on the rail and Roderick on the outside as they clicked off a half-mile in a more controlled :44.99.

But Willy Boi was at the top of his game into the stretch as he drew clear to lead by a length past the eighth pole before drifting out slightly but extending his margin to a lengthand-three-quarters ahead of a late running Ultimate Badger in second. They finished in 1:10.93. Lauda Speed was another length back to get third followed by Real Talk, Warrior’s Pride and Roderick.

Lanerie said Willy Boi felt strong throughout and gave credit to trainer Jeff Engler for having the bay gelding so well prepared after the Holy Bull disappointment.

“I was pretty confident. Jeff had him ready.

He tried him long the last time—he had to. The horse didn’t want to go that long. He showed today he’s a sprinter,” Lanerie said. “I was really confident, especially coming out of the route race and him having a little bit more air.

The horse put me in a great position and I just had to be a great passenger.”

Engler said he was also very pleased with the performance.

“He’s just a nice horse. He was two-fortwo and we wanted to give him a shot in the Holy Bull. We felt pretty confident coming back into [the Hutcheson], and he ran great so we’re happy,” Engler said. “We’re so happy for the owners. This is one of the first horses they bought and he’s just turned out to be a good one.”

Willy Boi earned $46,065 for owner Lea

Farms LLC and increased his career earnings to $96,035 with his third win from four starts.

He was sent to the post as the 7-2 second choice in the Hutcheson and returned $9.60 to win.

Lea Farms purchased the son of Uncaptured for $40,000 out of the Ocala Stud consignment at the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Mixed Sale in October. He is out of the multiple stakes-winning mare Shining Moment,

by Yes It’s True and was bred by Ocala Stud and William J. Terrell.

Less than two months after the sale, Willy Boi won his first start by a half-length against Florida-bred special weight maidens on Dec. 10 at Gulfstream while leading from start to finish. He returned for his second start on Jan. 7 at Gulfstream and won by two-and-threequarters lengths, this time with a stalking trip against first condition, Florida-bred allowance runners. ■

Venezuelan Hug Slides Through Narrow Gap Late to Win The Canadian Turf Florida-bred Venezuelan Hug took his recent success against fellow Florida-breds into the Grade 3 Canadian Turf at Gulfstream Park Saturday and won by a neck ahead of Olympic Runner in second under a masterful ride by jockey Junior Alvarado.

The $125,000 Canadian Turf featured a field of nine 4-year-olds and older going a mile-and-one-sixteenth on the turf.

Coming out of a head victory in the $60,000 Millions Turf Preview at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 2 and a three-quarters of a length victory in the $75,000 Sunshine Turf Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 16, both over a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the grass versus Florida-breds, Venezuelan Hug was let go at 9-2 in the Canadian Turf behind Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) runner-up Eons, who was the 52 favorite, and Winters Back and Olympic Runner, both at 4-1.

Breaking from post six, Venezuelan Hug Continued on next page THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

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Florida Focus

Florida-bred Venezuelan Hug ■ Lauren King Photo

and Alvarado were in no hurry going past the finish line for the first time as they settled along the rail in a joint fifth with Olympic Runner as 25-1 longshot Bizzee Channel shot to the lead from post one.

Bizzee Channel galloped through fractions of :23.69 for the first quarter-mile and the half in :48.48 with Winters Back to his outside in second and the pair raced together around the far turn to finish six furlongs in 1:11.48.

As the field ran past the quarter-pole, Venezuelan Hug began to advance toward the two leaders while still along the rail but had little room as they came out of the turn and began the run for home. Winter Memories put away Bizzee Channel at the top of the stretch when Gear Jockey and Olympic Runner ranged up together to challenge on his outside past the sixteenth marker. Meanwhile Venezuelan Hug found a sliver of an opening between Gear Jockey and Winters Back and surged up to engage in a head bobbing fight with Olympic Runner in the final fifty yards.

Venezuelan Hug finished ahead of Olympic Runner in a time of 1:40.42 on the firm turf with Gear Jockey another length back in third. Winters Back held on for fourth followed by Eons, Dynadrive, Fancy Liquor, Bizzee Channel and Monarchs Glen (GB).

Venezuelan Hug paid $11 on a $2 win ticket.

It was the sixth win from 10 career starts for Venezuelan Hug, a 4-year-old son of Constitution who was claimed for $40,000 by 16

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

trainer Danny Gargan and Spedale Family Racing LLC out of a third-place finish against maidens at Gulfstream in his second career start in March of last year. Four starts later, Spedale Family Racing and Marianne Spedale partnered with R.A. Hill Stable on Venezuelan Hug after a two-and-a-quarter-length victory on turf against first condition allowance 3-year-olds at Saratoga on Aug. 9.

Currently the ownership team is officially Spedale Family Racing LLC and R.A. Hill Stable.

The $74,400 first-place check for winning the Canadian Turf increased his career bankroll to $252,830. Venezuelan Hug is out of the Giant’s Causeway mare Downtown Diva and was bred by Orlyana Farm. ■

Florida-bred C Z Rocket Becomes Millionaire with Hot Springs Victory Ending Whitmore’s Domination

The Breeders’ Cup Sprint also stopped a five-race winning streak for C Z Rocket going back to a $50,000 claiming race at Churchill Downs in May and ending with victories in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes at Del Mar on Aug. 28 and the Grade 2 Santa Anita Sprint Championship on Sept. 27 just prior to the Breeders’ Cup. Whitmore and C Z Rocket were adjacent in posts six and seven respectively in the Hot Springs and both started even with the field.

Firecrow, the longest shot on the board at 341 and a Whitmore stablemate from the Ron Moquett barn, sprinted to a one length lead in the run down the back stretch as Whitmore galloped along in sixth, four lengths from the front and two lengths better than a trailing C Z Rocket.

After a first quarter-mile in a rapid :21.65, Mr. Jagermeister moved closer and to the outside of Firecrow around the turn as Whitmore began to pass horses while three wide with C Z Rocket still a length-and-half behind him.

Firecrow turned for home a half-length in front after a half-mile in :44.69 but Whitmore was suddenly among a wall of six sprinters— all with a chance—while C Z Rocket still lagged in last on the far outside.

Whitmore accelerated to the lead in upper stretch but C Z Rocket quickly found his best stride past the sixteenth pole to draw even and those two fought in the final 100 yards to the finish.

C Z Rocket and jockey Florent Geroux

C Z Rocket snapped one of the more distinguished winning streaks in recent thoroughbred racing March 13 when the Florida-bred gelding defeated Whitmore by a neck in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park—a race in which the latter had won four consecutive times dating back to 2017.

The $200,000 Hot Springs had assembled an impressive field of seven sprinters, 4-years-old and older, who went six furlongs and also allowed C Z Rocket to avenge his loss to Whitmore after finishing second to the 2020 Eclipse Award champion sprinter in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Keeneland on Nov.7.

Florida-bred C Z Rocket

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Coady Photo

completed the six furlongs in 1:09.04 on the fast track with Whitmore second, a lengthand-a-half ahead of Flagstaff in third. Firecrow, Boldor, Engage and Mr. Jagermeister completed the order of finish.

C Z Rocket paid $7.20 to win.

“I didn’t think we would be behind Whitmore, but it kind of worked Miller said. “Might have been a blessing in disguise to track Whitmore. He’s such a great horse, Whitmore, and so is C Z Rocket. I just can’t say enough about both of these horses. My congratulations to the connections of Whitmore on having this horse ready to rock and roll. C Z Rocket, the Floridabred champion older horse and champion sprinter of 2020, is trained by Peter Miller, who claimed the now 7-year-old for $40,000 at Oaklawn last year in April for owner Tom Kagele. Kagele has since partnered with Madaket Stables LLC and Gary Barber on the ownership team that has seen C Z Rocket win six of seven starts since the claim C Z Rocket now sports a record of 10 wins, two seconds and two thirds from 24 starts and the $120,000 first-place check made him the 175th member of the Floridabred millionaires club with $1,011,641 in career earnings.

C Z Rocket is by City Zip out of Successful Sarah, by Successful Appeal and was bred

by Farm III Enterprises. He was a then sale record $800,000 purchase by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations out of the Stephens Thoroughbreds consignment at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Open Sale in June of 2016.

Successful Sarah has also produced Great Success, by Verrazano, who was second to Jackson in the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs on Florida Cup Day. ■

Florida-bred Warrior’s Pride Rockets to Victory in Texas Glitter Warrior’s Pride jumped out of the starting gate as if he was shot out of a cannon and the Florida-bred colt held on to win the $75,000

Texas Glitter Stakes with Junior Alvarado aboard.

The Texas Glitter featured a field of eight 3-year-olds and Warrior’s Pride is the third consecutive Florida-bred winner of the five furlong turf stakes following the Mark Casse-trained Yes I am Free for owner Gary Barber in 2019 and Cajun Casanova last year for trainer Michael Pino and owner Smart Angle LLP. Breaking from the outside post eight, Warrior’s Pride continued his accelerated velocity into the turn with a two-and-a-half-length lead ahead of Nitro Time in second with evenmoney favorite Field Day giving chase in third as he sped through a first quarter-mile in a blazing :20.57.

He continued to keep the wide margin into the stretch and sprinted through a torrid halfmile in :43.05 while extending his lead to three lengths past the eighth-pole.

Kasim and Field Day tried to launch their respective challenges but never got closer than three-quarters of a length at the finish as Warrior’s Pride completed the distance on the firm turf in :55.37.

Kasim was second, a nose better than Field Day in third with Omaha City, Dr. Duke, Nitro Time and No Que No completing the order of finish.

Warrior’s Pride was let go at 10-1 odds and paid $23.20 on a $2 win ticket.

Alvarado, 36, won his first career race at Gulfstream in 2007 and returned this winter for his first full Championship Meet in 12 years. One of his biggest backers has been winning trainer Antonio Cioffi, a fellow Venezuelan.

“He’s been a great help since I got here from Venezuela. This win actually meant a lot to me,” Alvarado said. “He just told me, ‘Hang on. When you break out of there, don’t do anything. Let him run. He’s the fastest horse in the race, for sure.’

“I trust him. It’s many years that I know him. He broke out of there like a rocket and carried me all the way to the wire,” he added.

Florida-bred Warrior’s Pride ■ Ryan Thompson Photo

“I knew he was going fast. He’s a very fast horse. Antonio Cioffi has done a great job with him. He said to let him run as free as he wanted to do it and he’s going to hang on to the end. He certainly did.”

A homebred for Just for Fun Stable Inc., Warrior’s Pride broke his maiden in his third career start against special weight company going five-and-and-a-half furlongs at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 15, winning by two-and-three-quarter lengths. He then won a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming allowance going six furlongs by four-and-aquarter lengths in his next start before trying stakes for the first time in the six furlong Limehouse Stakes at Gulfstream on Jan. 2.

He finished fifth to winner Drain the Clock in the Limehouse then was fifth again to fellow Florida-bred Willy Boi in the six furlong Hutcheson Stakes on a sloppy track at Gulfstream on March 6 after leading at the first point of call in both.

But there was no slowing down in the Texas Glitter as the bay colt won for the third time in seven career starts. The $45,570 firstplace check increased his bankroll to $109,702.

Warrior’s Pride is by Poseidon’s Warrior and is the first foal from the Pleasant Tap mare Sophia’s Pride. Sophia’s Pride also has a 2-year-old filly by Handsome Mike and an unnamed yearling colt by Decisive Moment.

She was bred in 2021 to Curlin. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

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Dubai Racing Club Photo THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

Adds Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint to Long Resume

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

F

lorida-bred Extravagant Kid added a major note to his legacy in his 50th career start as the 8-year-old gelding won the US$1 million Al Quoz Sprint sponsored by Azizi Developments (Group 1) March 27 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai.

The Al Quoz Sprint featured an international field of 13 3-yearolds and older who went a straight 1,200 meters (about six furlongs) on the turf.

The 3-2 post time favorite for the Al Quoz was Space Blues (Ire), winner of the 1351 Sprint at King Abdulazziz Racecourse in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Feb. 20 while Extravagant Kid was let go at a generous 15-1. Also getting plenty of support from the wagering public was 5-1 second choice Khaadem (Ire), who is trained by Charles Hills for Shadwell Estate Co., Ltd., and had won the Group 1 July Cup at Newmarket on July 11 in his last start; and Equilateral (GB), owned by Mrs. Fitri Hay and trained by Charles Hills, who won the Group 2 Meydan Sprint at Meydan on Feb. 18 in his previous start.

Trained by Brendan Walsh for North Virginia-based real estate agent David Ross in the name of his DARRS Inc. and ridden for the first time by Ryan Moore, Extravagant Kid was coming off of a disappointing secondplace finish to Just Might after a troubled start in the $100,000 Colonel Power Stakes, which was taken off the turf and run at five-and-a-half furlongs on the main track at Fair Grounds on Feb. 13.

Donning the number two saddle towel but breaking from post eight in the Al Quoz, Extravagant Kid broke well and was taken to the inside group by jockey Ryan Moore as Equilateral and Man of Promise took the early lead while racing in the group on the grandstand side.

With just more than 800 meters to run, however, Moore and several other riders, including William Buick on Space Blues, sent their mounts to the far right to join early leaders Equilateral and Man of Promise, who were leading the group of four runners on the outside part of the course.

Passing the 700 meter marker, Equilateral led Man of Promise by a length-and-a-half as Extravagant Kid raced in sixth, about six lengths off the leader while just to the outside of Space Blues. Meanwhile jockey Rowan Scott and Acklam Express (Ire) stayed with the inside group but far off the pace in tenth.

With 300 meters to the finish, Equilateral continued to show the way on the far outside with Man of Promise to his right in second when Extravagant Kid and Final Song (Ire) began to make up ground while pulling away from an unresponsive Space Blues. Meanwhile Acklam Express was also making a bid for the lead while leaving the inside group but Extravagant Kid was too much the best, crossing the wire a half-length faster than Final Song (Ire) in second with Acklam Express third.

Equilateral was fourth followed by Motafaawit (Ire), True Valor, Royal Crusade (GB), Man of Promise, Space Blues, Cowan, Speak in Colours (GB), Moss Gill (Ire) and Khaadem.

The final time on the firm turf was 1:09.26 and they finished the final 400 meters in :21.78.

“It was a very messy race,” Moore said. “The speed looked like it was to be stands’ side but we had to make a decision. Space Blues and Khaadem were going, they were the best horses and gave me a bit of a tow. The horse ran a super race at Keeneland [when fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) won by Glass Slippers (GB) at Keeneland Nov. 7]. He is a very talented horse. You’ll have to watch out for Brendan [Walsh] when he comes back here.”

Since the Breeders’ Cup, Extravagant Kid has remained busy but has had trouble breaking out of a second-place slump. He finished second to fellow Florida-bred Imprimis in his fourth time running in the the $75,000 Janus Stakes on Jan 1 before he finished second to Cajun Brother in the Sunshine Sprint on Jan. 16, both at Gulfstream Park. He became a millionaire when second in the Colonel Power.

By Kiss the Kid out of Pretty Extravagant, by With Distinction, Extravagant Kid was bred in Florida by Frank Vicino in the name of Continued on page 24

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

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to be put in a position where he had Kennedy Road Stakes (G2), both at Wooda shot,” Ross said. “Going around bine. He was also second to Leinster in the these turns at the U.S. facilities, I Grade 2 Woodford Stakes presented by TVG think gave him a habit of sort of at Keeneland in October and second to Diaslowing down at the finish line. I will mond Oops in the Grade 2 TwinSpires Turf say that Ryan [Moore] did a phe- Sprint presented by Sysco at Churchill Downs nomenal job with the horse and on Sept. 4. In 2019. Extravagant Kid also finBrendan [Walsh] of course put him ished as a bridesmaid to Wet Your Whistle in in a great position. And he’s an 8- the Grade 1 Highlander at Woodbine in 2019.

He now has a career record of 15 wins in year-old. You’d think he was running out of gas but he just continues to 50 starts with 16 seconds and six thirds with earnings of $1,581,610. He jumped from move forward.

“We thought we had a chance. We being ranked as the 175th all-time richest Trophy Presentation Dubai Racing Club Photo think in any race we enter our horses Florida-bred to No. 63 on the earnings leaderthe Vicino Racing Stable. Vicino raced Ex- in we have a good chance. But training the board and is now just behind Sultry Song travagant Kid through his first 23 starts but horse and getting the horse ready to have a ($1,616,276) whle passing Revved Up lost him when Walsh and DAARS Inc. chance is a whole other program. I just can’t (1,548,653). Skip Away leads all Floridaclaimed him for $75,000 out of a third condi- say enough good things about [Brendan breds in earnings with $9,616,360.

Other Florida-bred winners on a Dubai tion optional claiming allowance victory at Walsh and his staff]. “[This race] tops all. We’ve been in the World Cup card include Silver Charm, winGulfstream Park in January of 2018.

Vicino, who was in the hospital in Miami Breeders’ Cup and we’ve placed in the Breed- ner of the 1998 Dubai World Cup; Benny the when Extravagant Kid won the Al Quoz, was ers’ Cup but we’ve never won the Breeders’ Bull (2008 Golden Shaheen), and X Y Jet elated with the news according his wife Rose- Cup. But I will say that this might be better (2017 Golden Shaheen). mary Vicino. “[Frank] just called me from It was a very messy race. The speed looked like it the hospital,” Rosemary Vicino was to be stands’ side but we had to make a decision. said. “Of course he wasn’t Space Blues and Khaadem were going, they were the happy to be there but he was so happy Extravagant Kid won that best horses and gave me a bit of a tow. race. That was quite something.

– Ryan Moore “I was really upset that we lost him because our trainer said that we’d than a Breeders’ Cup.” With the Al Quoz Sprint, Extravagant Kid never lose him and that they would never pay $75,000 for him. But with us, he never would has now won eight career stakes at six differhave gone to Dubai. He never would have ent tracks while racing in three countries. He gone to [Woodbine, Churchill, Keeneland, won the Tamiami and Green Parrot Handicap Saratoga, Louisiana, etc.] There are so many at Gulfstream Park in 2017 for Vicino and opportunities that [DARRS Inc.] gave him. while carrying the red colors of DAARS Inc. We don’t have that lifestyle. We have children from the Walsh barn, Extravagant Kid has and we have grandchildren so our lifestyle is taken the 2018 Lucky Coin Stakes at different.

Saratoga, the 2019 Zaxby’s Sprint Stakes on “We are just so happy for the horse and the Florida Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs, the owners.”

2019 Mighty Beau Overnight Stakes at Ross was in Dubai for the race and was Churchill, the 2019 Da Hoss Stakes at Coloquick to credit Brendan Walsh with preparing nial Downs and the 2019 Janus and 2020 Extravagant Kid for the Al Quoz and choos- Sunshine Millions Sprint back at Gulfstream. ing a race run in a long straight.

He was also second twice in 2019 to “I think Brendan called it right. He said Canadian juggernaut Pink Lloyd in the Grade Extravagant Kid and Ryan Moore Coady Photo the horse needed that straight run and needed 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes and in the Grade 2 ■

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

OBS March Indicates

Strong Market

SERITA HULT PHOTO

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

O

fficials at Ocala Breeders’ Sales, consignors and others in the thoroughbred industry felt confident that the 2021 OBS March Sale of 2-year-olds in training would be an improvement compared to last year’s March Sale when the COVID-19 pandemic first began to take hold in Florida and throughout United States. But this year’s two day auction conducted March 16-17 exceeded expectations on several fronts.

It proved the market was strong with solid gross sales of $38,265,000 from 326 head for an average of $117,377. That compared to 2020 when 295 juveniles generated $27,349,500 and an average of $92,710.

But perhaps the most encouraging figures reflected in the median, which jumped 25% from $50,000 in 2020 to $62,500 this year with a 16.2% buyback compared to 38.8% in 2020. Those numbers specifically reflected a strong demand for horses representing the lower and middle segments of both horse inventory and demand.

“Going into [the March Sale this year] we felt positive,” OBS president Tom Ventura said. “As we got closer to the sale, there were a lot of people on the grounds looking at horses, so we were optimistic.”

Even with the large pre-sale attendance however, OBS officials remained cautious with their optimism. In recent years, OBS has attempted to market the March Sale to a more diversified group of customers.

“One thing you never know, even with the people that are here, is if the market would remain to be polarized,” Ventura said. “And it turned out to be the opposite. There was a lot of depth to the market and a lot of depth to the buyers.

“We’ve been working for a while to expand our offerings during the March Sale. And we saw that coming in 2018 and 2019. We were convincing that second tier of buyers that there would be horses that would fit their needs and budgets. We were seeing more and more of them participating in March in addition to the higher end buyers.

The top seller came on the second day when Hip 311, a daughter of Practical Joke consigned by Top Line Sales LLC as an agent, went

to Hideyuki Mori for $750,000. The bay filly, whose eighth-mile in :9.80 was co-fastest at March 13 under tack session, is out of champion Valiant Emilia (Per), by Pegasus Wind, from the family of recent Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2)-winner Helium.

Hip 547, a daughter of American Pharoah whose quarter-mile in :20.80 was co-fastest at March 13, under tack session, was sold to Colombo Bloodstock Agency for $600,000. The bay filly, consigned

by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables, Inc., as an agent, is out of graded stakes-placed, stakes-winner Henny Jenney, by Henny Hughes, a half-sister to Grade 1 stakes-placed, stakes-winner Zeewat.

Spendthrift Farm and Myracehorse.com went to $575,000 for Hip 357, a son of Kantharos consigned by Woodford Thoroughbreds as an agent. The chestnut colt, whose quarter-mile in :20.40 was the cofastest on March 13, is a full-brother to stakes-winner Adventurous Lady out of Ari the Adventurer, by Pioneerof the Nile.

Hip 295, a daughter of Uncle Mo consigned by Pike Racing as an agent, was sold to Live Oak Plantation for $550,000. The bay filly, who breezed a furlong in :10.20 on March 12, is out of Town Tour, by Speightstown, a half-sister to Grade 1-winner Moonshine Memories.

Sean Flanagan paid $550,000 for Hip 504, a daughter of American Pharoah consigned by Eddie Woods as an agent. The bay filly, who breezed a quarter-mile in :21.20, is out of Forgotten Miss, by Afleet Alex, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Woodlander.

Hip 507, American Passport, a son of American Pharoah who breezed an eighth-mile in :10.20, went to Hideyuki Mori for $550,000.

The bay colt, consigned by Jesse Hoppel’s Coastal Equine LLC as an agent, is out of French Passport, by Elusive Quality, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Smooth Air. Hip 531, a son of Gormley consigned by Eddie Woods as an agent, went to Breeze Easy LLC for $550,000. The bay colt, whose furlong on Saturday in :9.80 was the day’s co-fastest, is a half-brother to stakeswinner Little Kansas out of Green Eyed Cat, by Tale of the Cat. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

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Starship Jubilee Serves as the Grand Marshall of the Parade of 2020 Florida-bred Champions.

Florida-bred Starship Jubilee ■ Ryan Thompson Photo

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

By JoAnn Guidry

T

he 2020 class of Florida-bred champions definitely proved themselves worthy of their garnered titles. As a group, the eight champions won 19 stakes races on the season. Seven of the eight horses were graded-stakes winners, including three Grade 1 stakes winners. Starship Jubilee was the only repeat champion, collecting her third set of dual crowns as Florida-bred champion older female/female turf horse. A Grade 1 stakes winner, Starship Jubilee was also the championship group’s leader by stakes wins (5) and money earned ($921,682) on the season.

Also worth noting is that two champions were homebreds in Golden Pal and March to the Arch. Five of the champions were sold at public auction: Princess Secret, Collusion Illusion, Speech, C Z Rocket and Starship Jubilee. The latter two are also former claimers who became Florida-bred champions, proving that racing luck is indeed fickle.

GOLDEN PAL

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING In but his second try, retired California insurance businessman Randall E. Lowe cashed the Breeders’ Cup golden ticket with Florida-bred Golden Pal. In 2015, Lady Shipman, Golden Pal’s dam, finished second by a neck in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). And both Lady Shipman and Golden Pal were RNAs at sales, leading Lowe to race them with outstanding results. Lady Shipman became a multiple graded-stakes winner of $902,387 and now the dam of a Breeders’ Cup champion. Golden Pal, who captured the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2), has to date earned $593,056. At this time, Golden Pal and Lady Shipman are the only horses that Lowe owns.

Thanks to Lowe’s longtime association with Ryan Barbazon, he sent Lady Shipman to Ocala-based Barbazon Racing & Bloodstock where she foaled her 2018 Uncle Mo colt. After receiving his yearling prep at Barbazon’s operation, the colt was consigned Continued on next page

GOLDEN PAL 2018 bay colt by Uncle Mo – Lady Shipman, by Midshipman Breeder: Randall E. Lowe Owner: Ranlo Investments LLC Trainer: Wesley A. Ward 2020 Race Record/Earnings 4-2-2-0/$593,056 2020 Black type Stakes Record 1st- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) 1st – Skidmore Stakes 2nd – Norfolk Stakes (G2) Florida-bred Golden Pal in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint ■ Keeneland Photo

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FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS

Florida-bred Princess Secret (inside) in the Susan’s Girl Stakes ■ Ryan Thompson Photo

by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the 2019 Keeneland September sale. A RNA at $325,000, Lowe struck an afterthe-sale deal with Coolmore, giving them 60 days to return the colt. When Coolmore returned the colt and an attempt to put together an ownership deal fell through, Lowe sent his horse back to Barbazon for early breaking and training.

Named Golden Pal and trained by Wesley Ward, the colt made his first start for Ranlo Investments LLC on April 17, 2020, in one of the first races of the year for 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park. He finished second, a length and three-quarters behind Gatsby in a four-and-a-half furlongs maiden special weight. Ward, who annually saddles horses at the Ascot meet in England, shipped Golden Pal with his contingent. On June 19, Golden Pal finished second by a neck to The Lir Jet (Ire) in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes on the turf.

Two months later, Golden Pal broke his maiden and became a black type stakes winner in the $85,000 Skidmore Stakes on Aug. 21 at Saratoga. Golden Pal bested Fauci by three-and-a-half lengths, winning in 1:00.88 for the fiveand-a-half furlongs on the turf.

Golden Pal would not start again until the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) on Nov. 6 at Keeneland. Tabbed as the heavy favorite, Golden Pal led from gate to wire to score a three-quarters length victory over Cowan. Ubettabelieveit (Ire) finished third. Winning time for the five and a half furlongs on the turf was 1:02.82. Golden Pal became the first Florida-bred to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and the 29th Florida-bred Breeders’ Cup champion.

PRINCESS SECRET

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY

PRINCESS SECRET 2018 bay filly by Khozan – Golden Horseshoe, by Belong to Me Breeders: Brent & Crystal Fernung Owner/Trainer: Daniel Pita 2020 Race Record/Earnings 5-3-2-0/$434,300 2020 Black Type Record 1st – My Dear Girl Stakes (FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Series) 1st – Susan’s Girl Stakes (FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Series) 2nd – Desert Vixen Stakes (FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Series) 28

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

Princess Secret’s precocious talent was not a secret for long. She broke her maiden impressively at and then quickly became a black type stakes winner of $434,300.

Owned and trained by Daniel Pita, Princess Secret began her racing career on May 7, 2020, at Gulfstream Park in a maiden special weight.

She cruised to a victory, beating Briella by four lengths. Her winning time for the four-and-a-half furlongs was :51.94. Princess Secret was then second in a second-condition, $60,000 allowance optional claiming and to Go Jo Jo Go in the $100,000 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Series Desert Vixen Stakes on Aug. 1 at Gulfstream Park.

But Princess Secret hit her stride in the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Series Susan’s Girl on Aug. 29 at Gulfstream Park. Bumped at the start by rival Go Jo Jo Go, Princess Secret quickly recovered and pressed Lyrical before taking the lead at the half-mile marker. She then battled Oh Deborah before pulling away to win by three-quarters of a length. Go Jo Jo Go finished third. The winning time for the seven-furlongs was 1:23.02.

With her first black type win taken care of, Princess Secret was primed for the $400,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Series My Dear Girl Stakes on Sept. 26 at Gulfstream Park. Pushed wide at the start by Alluramore, Princess Secret gamely raced on four wide and engaged leader Restofthestory on the far turn. The pair raced in tandem down the stretch with Princess Secret prevailing by a neck over Restofthestory. Big Rings got up for the show spot. The clock was stopped in 1:45.13 for the mile-and-onesixteenths.

Bred by Brent and Crystal Fernung, Princess Secret is by 2020 leading Florida sire Khozan out of Golden Horsehoe, by Belong to Me. Khozan, who is owned by a syndicate, stands at the Fernungs’ Ocala-based Journeyman Stallions. Consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock Services to the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s October yearling sale, Princess Secret sold for $30,000 to Manuel Pita.

COLLUSION ILLUSION

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING Having already become a graded-stakes winner as a juvenile, Collusion Illusion posted an even better sophomore season. Collusion Illusion added two more graded-stakes wins to his resume, including a Grade 1 stakes victory.

Collusion Illusion, trained by Mark Glatt, opened the 2020 season with a facile three-length win in a secondlevel, $62,5000 optional claiming allowance event on May 17 at Santa Anita Park. Now properly tuned up, Collusion Illusion next entered the gates for the Florida-bred Collusion Illusion in the Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) on June 20 at Bing Crosby Stakes Benoit Photo Santa Anita Park. He stalked the pace with opening fractions of :21.90, :44.73 before engaging Ragtime Blues and drawing clear to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths.

Howbeit was third. Winning time for the six and a half furlongs was 1:16.03.

Next on the agenda was the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) on Aug. 1 at Del Mar. Collusion Illusion broke seventh of eight and raced three wide around the turn. Opening fractions were a sizzling :21.58, :44.73 and :57.46. Collusion Illusion angled and rallied on the inside to best Lexitonian by a determined nose. Coming in third was Law Abidin Citizen. Final time for the six furlongs was 1:10.41.

In the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) on Sept. 27, Collusion Illusion finished third to fellow Florida-bred champion C Z Rocket. After a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), Collusion Illusion wrapped up the season with a third to Charlatan in the Malibu Stakes (G1) on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park. On the year, he banked $301,800.

Racing for the partnership of Dan J. COLLUSION ILLUSION Agnew, Jerry Schneider, Rodney E. Orr 2017 bay colt by Twirling Candy – Natalie Grace, by First Dude and MyRacehorse.com, Collusion Illusion Breeder: Donald R. Dizney was bred by Donald R. Dizney. A 2017 colt Owners: Dan J. Agnew, Jerry Schneider, Rodney E. Orr &

by Twirling Candy out of the First Dude mare NaMyRacehorse.com talie Grace, Collusion Illusion was consigned by Trainer: Mark Glatt Lane’s End to the 2018 Keeneland September year2020 Race Record/Earnings ling sale. He was purchased for $50,000 by Don’t 6-3-0-2/$301,800 Tell My Wife Stables and sent to Ocala-based May2020 Black Type Stakes Record berry Farm to be broken and trained. Mayberry 1st – Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) Farm then consigned the colt to the 2019 OBS 1st – Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) April juvenile sale, where Mark Glatt, agent, signed 3rd – Malibu Stakes (G1) the ticket for $300,00.

3rd – Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) ■

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FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS

Florida-bred Speech in the Ashland Stakes ■ Coady Photo

SPEECH

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD FILLY

No doubt Speech’s sterling championship season gave her owners much to pontificate about. The 3-year-old Mr Speaker filly became a Grade 1 stakes winner and set a track record at the same time.

The 2020 season started off a little rocky for Speech, who raced for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket Stables LLC and Heider Family Stables LLC. She finished second in a first condition, $80,000 optional claiming allowance race on Feb. 1 and then followed that with a runner-up finish to Donna Veloce in the Santa Isabel Stakes (G3) on March 8.

Trainer Michael W. McCarthy then shipped Speech to Oaklawn Park where she faced the future Eclipse Award champion female sprinter Gamine in a $61,000 allowance race on May 2. As expected, Gamine sped to an easy lead but had to hold off a charging Speech to win by a neck. But on July 14, Oaklawn Park officials announced that Gamine had been disqualified from that win due to a positive drug test. Speech was then awarded the victory.

Following a second to another future Eclipse Award winner in 2020 champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) on June 6, Speech headed for Keeneland for the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) on July 11. Tracking the leaders four wide in opening fractions of :24.04. :47.14 SPEECH and 1:10.44, Speech rallied down the stretch and drew away handily for 2017 bay filly by Mr Speaker – Scribbling Sarah, a three-length victory. Speech’s winning time of 1:41.26 was a track

by Freud record for the mile-and-one-sixteenths. The previous record of 1:41.36 Breeder: Gail Rice had been set by Seeking the Soul in 2017.

Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket Following the Ashland, Speech went to Churchill Downs for the Stables LLC & Heider Family Stables LLC Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) where she finished fourth behind winner Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy Swiss Skydiver, but was eventually placed third when third-place finisher 2020 Race Record/Earnings Gamine was disqualified.

7-2-3-0/$428,000 In seven starts on the season, Speech posted two wins and three sec2020 Black Type Stakes Record onds to earn $428,000.

1st – Ashland Stakes (G1) Bred by Gail Rice, Speech was consigned by Summerfield to the 2nd – Santa Anita Oaks (G2) 2018 OBS Winter Mixed Sale and sold for $65,000 to First Finds. SBM 2nd – Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) Training & Sales then consigned the filly to the 2019 OBS March juve3rd – Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) nile sale, where she sold for $190,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

C Z ROCKET

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION OLDER MALE 2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION MALE SPRINTER C Z Rocket’s career has been a roller coaster. The 2014 City Zip gelding has gone from six-figure 2-year-old to claimer to graded stakes-winner to dual Florida-bred champion.

Bred by Vicente Perez’s Farm III Enterprises LLC and out of graded-stakes placed Successful Sarah, by Successful Appeal, C Z Rocket was consigned by Stephens Thoroughbreds to the 2016 OBS June juvenile sale. There he was purchased for a then sale record $800,000 by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations.

After winning the 2018 Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs, C Z Rocket went winless in 2019. He began 2020 racing in the claiming ranks. On April 30 at Oaklawn Park, trainer Peter Miller claimed fifth-placed C Z Rocket for $40,000 on behalf of Tom Kagele. The Florida-bred’s racing luck was about to change in stunning fashion.

C Z Rocket proceeded to go on a five-race winning streak. Now racing for Kagele, Madaket Stables LLC and Gary Barber, C Z Rocket won back-to-back $50,000 and $62,500 claiming races at Churchill Downs. Then on July 12 at Keeneland, the Miller trainee captured a second condition, $62,500 allowance optional race in track-record time. Setting fractions of :22.10, :44.80 and 1:08.79, C Z Rocket covered the six-and-a-half furlongs in 1:15 flat.

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

Elevated to graded stakes company, C Z Rocket did not disappoint his connections. On Aug. 29 in the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar, C Z Rocket stalked leader Law Abidin Citizen in opening fractions of :23.10, :46.04 and 1:10. He rallied four wide down the stretch to best Flagstaff by half-a-length with Law Abidin Citizen holding on for third. Winning time for the seven furlongs was 1:22.25. And just like that, C Z Rocket had gone from claimer to graded stakes winner.

In the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) on September 27, C Z Rocket showed not only his blistering speed but his grittiness as well. Racing three-wide through the turn, he engaged leader Flagstaff, who had set early fractions of :22.33, :45.27, :57.13, just past the eighth pole. C Z Rocket dug in and prevailed by a head over Flagstaff with Florida-bred Collusion Illusion third. Time for the six furlongs was a swift 1:09.14.

C Z Rocket closed out the season with a second to Whitmore in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on Nov. 7 at Keeneland.

Finishing third was Florida-bred Firenze Fire. In his best racing season to date in his career, C Z Rocket won two graded stakes and banked $651,901.

C Z ROCKET 2014 bay gelding by City Zip – Successful Sarah, by Successful Appeal Breeder: Farm III Enterprises LLC Owners: Tom Kagele, Madaket Stables LLC & Gary Barber Trainer: Peter Miller

Florida-bred C Z Rocket in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes ■ Benoit Photo

2020 Race Record/Earnings 9-5-1-0/$651,901 2020 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) 1st – Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) 2nd – Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)

STARSHIP JUBILEE

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE 2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION FEMALE TURF HORSE Florida-bred Starship Jubilee in the Hillsborough Stakes ■ SV Photography

Since being claimed twice for $16,000 in 2017, Starship Jubilee put together a stellar racing career replete with signature moments. She became a multiple Grade 1 stakes winner who banked a career bankroll of $2,093,069. She was named the Florida-bred champion older female and female turf horse in 2017, 2019 and 2020. In addition, Starship Jubilee collected Sovereign Awards as Canadian champion turf female in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She was also named the 2019 Canadian Horse of the Year.

Starship Jubilee’s 2020 season showed why she was a multiple champion. Raced by Bonnie Baskin’s Blue Heaven Farm and trained by Kevin Attard, opened up the season with her third consecutive win of the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes on Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park. Three weeks later, she romped to a four-and-a-quarter length victory in the Suwannee River Continued on next page THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

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Stakes (G3) on turf. Next up was a length winning tally in the Hillsborough Stakes (G2) on March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs on grass.

Shipped to Saratoga, Starship Jubilee displayed her stone-cold racehorse bona fides in the grassy Ballston Spa Stakes (G2) on July 25. She prevailed by a neck over Call Me Love (GB) with Sistercharlie (Ire) third. Winning time for the mile-and-one-sixteenths turf test was 1:41.76.

Considering her career success in Canada, it was only fitting that Starship Jubilee garnered her second Grade 1 career stakes win there. She had previously won the 2019 E.P. Taylor Stakes STARSHIP JUBILEE (G1) on grass at Woodbine. On Sept. 19 in the Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) on 2013 bay mare by Indy Wind – Perfectly Wild, by Forest Wildcat turf, she rallied five-wide to best Florida-bred March to the Arch by a length.

Breeder: William P. Sorren War of Will, the 2019 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, was third. Starship JuOwner: Blue Heaven Farm bilee’s winning time of 1:32.06 was only .31 of a second off Wise Dan’s course Trainer: Kevin Attard record. The only mare in the race, she became only the third mare to win the 2020 Race Record/Earnings Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) on grass.

7-5-0-0/$921,682 In one of racing’s fickle twists of fate, Starship Jubilee’s racing career ended 2020 Black Type Stakes Record in an unexpected way. In the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf 1st – Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) (G1) on Nov. 7 at Keeneland, she stumbled out of Gate 1, unseated jockey 1st – Ballston Spa Stakes (G2) Florent Geroux and ran riderless until caught by an outrider. Starship Jubilee 1st – Hillsborough Stakes (G2) was retired the next day, having earned $921,682 on the season.

1st – Suwannee River Stakes (G2) A 2013 bay mare by Indy Wind out of Perfectly Wild, by Forest Wildcat, Star1st – Sunshine Millions Filly & Turf Sprint Stakes ship Jubilee was bred by William P. Sorren. Consigned by The Acorn as an agent, to the 2014 OBS August yearling sale, she sold for $6,500 to Laurence F. Leavy. In the 2015 OBS April juvenile sale, Starship Jubilee was a $34,000 RNA. Raced by Starship Stables and trained by Steve Dwoskin, Starship Jubilee broke her maiden in a $35,000 maiden claiming race on June 1, 2016 at Gulfstream Park. On Jan. 4, 2017, she was claimed for $16,000 at Gulfstream Park

by Jorge Navarro for JN Racing Stables Inc. On Feb. 12 at Gulfstream Park, Satrship Jubilee was again claimed for $16,000 by Tino Attard. She then raced for Kevin Attard and Soli Mehta, winning the 2017 Nassau Stakes (G2) and Dance Smartly Stakes (G2), both on the turf.

Consigned by Brookdale Sales to the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Starship Jubilee was a $425,000 RNA. She was then sold privately to Bonnie Baskin’s Blue Heaven Farm.

FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS

LADY’S ISLAND

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION FEMALE SPRINTER Florida-bred Lady’s Island in the Sugar Swirl Stakes ■ Coglianese Photo

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Lady’s Island’s racing form in 2020 was a consistent one of playing catch me if you can, leading to three stakes wins, including a graded victory.

After a second to Florida-bred Extravagant Kid in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes on Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park, Lady’s Island quickly rebounded to score her first stakes win of the season a month later. On Feb. 15 in the $50,000 Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, Lady’s Island broke hard and bobbled out of the gates. She quickly recovered and rocketed to the front of the pack, setting fractions of :21.60, :44.17 and :56.44. Lady’s Island crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of Into Chocolate with Caught Up in You third. Winning time for the six-furlong sprint was 1:09.97.

Back at Gulfstream Park for the $100,000 Musical Romance Stakes on May 16, the Georgina Baxter trainee was in top form. Right out of the gates, Lady’s Island snagged the lead and never relinquished it. She posted fractions of :22.17, :44.24 and 1:09.06 on her way to winning by three and three-quarter lengths over Florida-bred Wildwood’s Beauty with Florida-bred Bellera third.

Lady’s Island stopped the clock in 1:22.86 for the seven furlongs.

Lady’s Island then finished third in the Ana T. Stakes at Gulfstream Park and

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

second in the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga. Back at her Gulfstream Park home-base, Lady’s Island was soon in the winner’s circle again.

On Dec. 12 in the Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3), Lady’s Island took the lead two jumps out of the gates and led by three at the top of the stretch. Her opening fractions were :22.12, :44.54 and :56.86. Bronx Beauty staged a furious rally in deep stretch but Lady’s Island staved her off to win by a head. Winning time for the six furlongs was 1:10.46. Lady’s Island has also won the 2019 Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3).

Bred by Bailey Bolen, Lady’s Island earned $219,400 on the season for the partnership of Matties Racing Stable LLC and Averill Racing LLC.

LADY’S ISLAND 2014 bay mare by Greatness – Broadway Martha, by Broad Brush Breeder: Bailey Bolen Owners: Matties Racing Stable LLC & Averill Racing LLC Trainer: Georgina Baxter 2020 Race Record/Earnings 8-4-2-1/$219,400 2020 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3) 1st – Minaret Stakes 1st – Musical Romance Stakes 2nd – Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) 2nd – Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes 3rd – Ana T. Stakes

MARCH TO THE ARCH

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION MALE TURF HORSE Already an outstanding racehorse, graded stakes-winner March to the Arch put together a championship-worthy season in 2020. March to the Arch was one of seven 2020 Florida-bred stakes winners bred by Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Stud and raced in her Live Oak Plantation silks.

March to the Arch kicked off the season in stakes-winning fashion on January 18 in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park. As is his habit, March to the Arch broke slowly and raced three wide in fifth place.

The Mark Casse trainee went five-wide at the top of the stretch then kicked into high gear, besting Muggsamatic by a head at the wire. Galleon Mast got up for show. Winning time for the mile-and-one-sixteenth turf test was 1:41.75.

Moving to Woodbine later in the season, where March to the Arch won 2018 listed Toronto Cup Stakes, the 2015 Arch gelding was soon in the winner’s circle again. On August 15 in the King Edward Stakes (G2) on turf, March to the Arch broke casually and settled in on the rail MARCH TO THE ARCH at the back of the pack. Angled 2015 bay gelding by Arch – Daveron (Ger), by off the rail at the upper stretch, Black Bellamy Swan (Ire) March to the Arch displayed his Breeder: Live Oak Stud Florida-bred March to the Arch in patented kick to win handily by two Owner: Live Oak Plantation the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes Ryan Thompson Photo Trainer: Mark Casse and a half lengths over Admiralty Pier. Silent Poet finished third.

2020 Race Record/Earnings March to the Arch posted an impressive 1:32.28 winning time 8-2-1-2/$346,691 for the mile turf test.

2020 Black Type Stakes Record A month later, March to the Arch finished second to Florida1st – King Edward Stakes (G2) bred Starship Jubilee in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile Stakes on 1st – Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes grass. On the season, he was also third in the Tampa Bay Stakes 3rd – Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) (G3) and Appleton Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, both on 3rd – Appleton Stakes (G3) grass, boosting his seasonal bankroll to $346,691.

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2020

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED

By JoAnn Guidry

2020 LEADING FLORIDA ACTIVE SIRE 2020 LEADING FLORIDA JUVENILE SIRE 2012 BAY HORSE BY DISTORTED HUMOR – DELTA PRINCESS, BY A.P. INDY

KHOZAN

Photo by Kaplan Media

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Khozan was the 2020 leading Florida active sire by total progeny earnings with $3,521,813. Khozan was also the leading Florida juvenile sire with progeny earnings in that category of $1,342,145.

All totaled, Khozan was represented by 93 runners with 52 winners, including five black type stakes winners and seven black type stakes-placers. Two in the latter group were graded stakes placed. Of Khozan’s five black type stakes winners, three were juvenile stakes winners.

Khozan’s leading earner was Florida-bred black type stakes-winner Princess Secret, who banked $434,300 on the season. Owned and trained by Daniel Pita, Princess Secret won the $200,000 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes Susan’s Girl at seven furlongs and the $400,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes My Dear Girl at a mile-and-one-sixteenth and was second in the $100,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Desert Vixen going six furlongs, all at Gulfstream Park.

Bred by Brent and Crystal Fernung, the 2018 bay filly is out of Golden Horseshoe, by Belong to Me. Consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock Services to the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s October Mixed Sale as a yearling, Princess Secret sold for $30,000 to Manuel Pita. Princess Secret was named the 2020 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old filly.

Florida-bred Poppy’s Pride won a trio of black type stakes on the season: the $75,000 Armed Forces Stakes at Gulfstream Park, the $60,000 Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park West and Inaugural Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. A Stonehedge LLC homebred, the 2018 bay colt out of Lovely Lexi, by With Distinction, Poppy’s Pride earned $211,724 on the year.

Go Jo Jo Go, another Stonehedge LLC homebred, won the $100,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Desert Vixen at seven furlongs at Gulfstream Park. The 2018 chestnut filly out of Flashy Flirt, by Gulch, was also third in the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Susan’s Girl at Gulfstream Park. She earned $112,800 on the season.

Rounding out Khozan’s quintet of Florida-bred black type stakes winners were Liam’s Lucky and Legal Deal, both homebreds for Gilbert and Marilyn Campbell’s Stonehedge LLC. Liam’s Lucky, out of the Stormy Atlantic mare P. S. I Love You won the Pasco County Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and earned $109,000. Legal Deal, out of the Wildcat Heir mare Legal Laura, captured the Millions Sprint Preview Stakes at Gulfstream Park West. Legal Deal banked $91,438 on the season.

Khozan was also represented by black type stakes-placed runners Seazan, Untitled, Big Daddy Dave, Independent

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

INDUSTRY LEADERS Miss, Lure Him In, Zimba Warrior and Delia O’Hara. Of this group, Seazan was the leading earner with a bankroll of $119,854. Untitled and Zimba Warrior had the distinction of being graded stakes-placed. Untitled was second in the Gotham Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct and Zimba Warrior was third in the Sham Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita.

By Distorted Humor out of Delta Princess, by A.P. Indy, Khozan was purchased by Al Shaqab Racing for $1 million at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton Florida select 2-year-olds in training sale. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Khozan broke his maiden at first asking by four lengths and encored that with a second victory by 12 ¾ lengths. While training for the 2015 Florida Derby (G1), Khozan suffered a career-ending injury.

Khozan entered stud in 2016 at Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud. He was the 2019 leading Florida freshman and juvenile sire. Khozan stands as property of a syndicate.

2020 LEADING FLORIDA FRESHMAN SIRE 2012 BAY HORSE BY CURLIN – RACHEL ALEXANDRA, BY MEDAGLIA D’ORO

JESS’S DREAM

Photo by Serita Hult

Jess’s Dream was the 2020 leading Florida freshman sire by progeny earnings with a total of $401,716. He was represented by 27 runners, seven winners and one Florida-bred black type stakes winner.

Jess’s Dream’s leading earner was Florida-bred black type stakes-winner Restofthestory, who banked $135,400 on the season. Restofthestory, a 2018 bay filly out of Holiday Flare, by Harlan’s Holiday, was second in the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes My Dear Girl at Gulfstream Park. Bred and sold by Ocala Stud, Restofthestory was purchased for $95,000 by current owners Karl and Cathi Glassman at the 2020 OBS April juvenile sale.

By 2007-2008 Horse of the Year Curlin out of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, Jess’s Dream was born into the spotlight. Bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC and The Estate of Harold T. McCormick, the dark bay colt was named after the late Jess Jackson, who raced Curlin and Rachel Alexander, with wife Barbara Banke, in their Stonestreet Stables silks. Jess’s Dream broke his maiden at first asking on Aug. 24, 2015, at Saratoga and earned a 90 Beyer Speed Figure in what would be his only career start.

Jess’s Dream was retired to stud in 2016 and stood his first year at Ocala Stud in 2017. He is a half-brother to Grade 1 stakes-winner Rachel’s Valentina, by Bernardini, who won the Spinaway Stakes (G1). Jess’s Dream stands as property of Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Thoroughbreds and Ocala Stud.

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GULFSTREAM PARK ANNOUNCES 34 Stakes Including $1.525 Million FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes featuring $400,000 In Reality and $400,000 My Dear Girl divisions $200,000 in Bonuses Added to Open Stakes for Florida-breds $250,000 in Bonuses Added to Stakes for Florida Sire Stakes Horses

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Gulfstream Park announced a $3.5 million Spring/Summer stakes schedule highlighted by the $350,000 Princess Rooney Invitational (Grade 2) and $200,000 Smile Sprint Invitational (G3) to be run July 3, and the lucrative $1.525 million FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series.

The schedule includes 34 stakes with $700,000 in incentives for Florida-bred and Florida Sire Stakes-eligible horses courtesy of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.

The Princess Rooney, a ‘Win & In’ for Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and Smile, which make-up the Summit of Speed, were moved to September last year after being run in July since its inception 20 years ago at Calder Race Course. The Princess Rooney was cancelled last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Both races will be invitationals this year for the first time.

“This year we focused on bringing back the popular Summit of Speed on July 4 weekend,” Gulfstream Park vice president of racing Mike Lakow said. “The Princess Rooney fits perfectly on the national calendar within the female sprint category. We’ve increased the purse to $350,000 and have made the race an invitational along with The Smile. The Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint on Sunday, July 4 completes the Independence Day weekend.”

The Florida Sire Stakes will begin on July 31 and culminate Sept. 25 with the $400,000 In Reality, $400,000 My Dear Girl and the $125,000 Wildcat

By Brock Sheridan

Ryan Thompson Photo

SPRING/SUMMER STAKES SCHEDULE Heir for older horses. Florida-bred stakes races will include the $75,000 Big Drama May 1, $75,000 Musical Romance on May 29 and $75,000 Soldier’s Dancer on May 31, the $75,000 Ginger Punch June 12, and the $75,000 Benny the Bull August 14.

The FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes series kicks off with the $100,000 Dr. Fager for eligible 2-year-old colts and gelding and the $100,000 Desert Vixen for eligible 2-year-old fillies, both a six furlongs. The series graduates to seven furlongs and $200,000 purses in each division on Aug. 28 with the Affirmed for eligible 2-year-old colts and gelding and the Susan’s Girl for eligible 2-year-old fillies.

The stakes schedule begins Saturday, May 1 with the $75,000 Honey Ryder for fillies at a mile-and-one-sixteenth on the turf and the Big Drama for Florida-bred 3year-olds and older at six furlongs.

“We appreciate the support from Lonny Powell and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association offering an additional $500,000 to enhance the Spring/Summer stakes schedule with bonuses for Florida Bred and Florida Stallion Sired winners,” Lakow added.

Powell, who serves as the CEO for the FTBOA, said he is enthusiastic about the stakes schedule as a showcase for Florida-breds, the lucrative Florida Sire Stakes program and spring summer thoroughbred racing in the Sunshine State.

“The FTBOA is excited about stepping up

our participation for this year’s Gulfstream Summer Meet in terms of funding and sponsorships for Florida-breds competing in open and restricted stakes races,” Powell said. “This re-energized spirit of cooperation with our horsemen and track partners as we each recognize the undeniable connection between breeding and racing and the importance of everyone to each other and our entire Florida thoroughbred industry’s success.

“Our member breeders and owners continue to recognize the ongoing importance to our industry of maintaining a meaningful year round racing circuit in Florida with the Gulfstream Summer Meet obviously an important part of our Florida racing schedule. One of the biggest assets relied upon to make this all happen is our Floridabreds,” Powell added.

“As our industry and world begin the transition back to a more normal life as we happily watch the pandemic slowing down in the stretch and fading, FTBOA has again stepped up to strongly augment well beyond any requirements or obligations for this year by sponsoring for this specific year’s meet more than $825,000 in total additional bonuses, incentives and purses above and beyond our six 2-year-old Gulfstream Park Summer main events-the $1.4 million Florida Sire Stakes this year.

“We are very proud to support Gulfstream and the horsemen while continuing to put the spotlight on our valued and highly competitive Florida-breds and the breeders, farms and connections behind them,” Powell continued. “As has been the case for a number of years now, if you plan to race for the big prize money this summer at Gulfstream Park, you really need to have a compliment of Floridabreds and Florida-breds by Florida sires in your barn.” ■

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

39

★

Florida CupAGAINShowcases Florida-bred Stars in Quality-Laden Program ★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

★

BY BROCK SHERIDAN Tampa Bay Downs and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association presented the 18th renewal of the Florida Cup March 28 and the appealing program included six stakes for Floridabreds.

The appeal was especially evident to those watching the races on TVG as host Ken Rudolph noted to commentator Matt Carothers on air.

“Oh my goodness Matt,” Rudolph said. “You are not kidding about

the quality today at Tampa Bay Downs.”

“Some races are better than others,” Carothers replied, “There’s not a bad race in the entire sequence. The races are either good or great at Tampa.”

Each Florida Cup race offered a $100,000 purse with a $10,000 win bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association for horses eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes.

goodness Matt, you are not kidding about “Ohthemyquality today at Tampa Bay Downs.”

– Ken Rudolph, TVG Host Tap It to Win Makes 2021 Debut With NYRA Bets Sprint Victory Tap It to Win made his first start of the year a big success as he won the $100,000 NYRA Bets Sprint by four-and-a-quarter lengths. Ridden by Antonio Gallardo, Tap It to Win bested five other older Florida-breds who went six furlongs.

Fifth in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes won by Tiz the Law on June 20 and second to Echo Town in the Grade 1 H. Allen Jerkens Stakes at Saratoga on Aug. 1, Tap It to Win finished his sophomore campaign at Churchill Downs with a third-place finish behind fellow Florida-bred Rushie in the Grade 2 Pat Day Mile on Sept. 5.

Tap It to Win came into the Sprint as the 4-5 favorite and lived up to the support from his wagering fans with a dominating victory.

R Mercedes Boy made for an eventful beginning to the Sprint as he veered out and bumped with Hauntedbythemusic then Tap It to Win before sprinting to the front with Cajun Brother to his outside. Meanwhile, Tap It to Win found position between horses from about two lengths back as they finished the run down the backstretch in a quick :22.16.

R Mercedes Boy and Cajun Brother continued to battle around the turn as Gallardo steered Tap It to Win through a ground-saving trip on the rail.

40

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

As they turned for home after completing the half-mile in :44.82, Tap It to Win found room on the rail and shot through the opening with urging from Gallardo and took command as they raced into the final furlong. They quickly opened up a clear advantage and throttled down to an easy victory in 1:09.43 with R Mercedes Boy

Florida-bred Tap It To Win ■ SV Photography

coming to the finish in second and a length-and-three-quarters better than Hauntedbythemusic in third.

The time was just .76 of a second off the stakes and track record of 1:08.67 set by Florida-bred It’s Me Mom in 2012.

Cajun Brother, My Boy Lenny and Old Time Revival finished in that order.

“I started asking him a little when I saw [R Mercedes Boy] come off the rail, and when I asked him, he showed how nice he is,” Gallardo said. “This horse showed me he was the best horse in the race.

Casse assistant trainer Jimmy Miranda was also pleased that Tap It to Win appears to be living up to the expectations after such as accomplished campaign last year.

“He was coming off a very good 3-year-old year, but you keep your fingers crossed he’ll come back to that same form,” Miranda said.

“That’s what happened. He was very good in the receiving barn and is just a real pro.”

Tap it To Win is a bay ridgling by Tapit out of the multiple stakeswinning mare Onepointthreekarats, by Medaglia d’Oro and the Live Oak Plantation homebred is trained by Mark Casse.

Onepointthreekarats has also produced graded stakes-placed Souper Stonehenge by Speightstown for Live Oak Plantation, who was scratched from the Turf Classic. Baby Boomer, Game Boy Benny and Shivaree also scratched.

He paid $3.80 to win for his fourth career victory in 10 starts with two seconds and a third. He has now earned $333,672.

R Adios Jersey Remains Unbeaten In Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies R Adios Jersey won for fourth time in four career starts and earned her first black type by taking the seven furlong Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies by two-and-a-quarter lengths. In addition to the winner’s share of the $100,000 purse, the daughter of Ocala Stud leading sire Adios Charlie out of Marion Theatre, by Montbrook also earned a $10,000 bonus from the FTBOA as a Florida Sire Stakes eligible winner.

Trained by Georgina Baxter for Rick Averill’s Averill Racing LLC and Anthony Mattera’s ATM Racing, R Adios Jersey won her first three career starts at Gulfstream including her first race against $35,000 maiden claiming fillies by 12 ¾ lengths in December at six furlongs. She then won a first condition allowance race by two-anda-half lengths going five-and-a-half furlongs there on Feb. 3 before winning a $50,000 optional claiming starter allowance by a half-length at six furlongs on Feb. 26.

The quick filly again showed her speed in the Sophomore Fillies as jockey Paco Lopez had her in front by two lengths going into the turn after clicking off a quick :22.27 quarter-mile as the 8-5 favorite.

Fan Fan and jockey Hector Diaz tried to apply pressure around the bend but never got closer than a length as they straightened away in

Florida-bred R Adios Jersey

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SV Photography

the run for home with a :45.29 half-mile fraction.

R Adios Jersey shook free down the stretch as Psychic Ability made a late run to move into the second but R Adios Jersey proved to be much the best with a two-and-a-quarter length win in 1:23.35. Psychic Ability finished second, nearly four lengths ahead of Ray Arewethereyet in third. Special Princess, Princess Secret, Fan Fan, Sky Proposal, Go Jo Jo Go, East Wing, Quinoa Tifah and Adios Trippie completed the order of finish.

R Adios Jersey paid $5.20 to win.

Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud and J. Micheal O’Farrell Jr., R Adios Jersey has now earned $137,000 from her four career starts, proving a good investment for Averill, who purchased her under his Averill Racing banner at the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales March Sale for $12,000 from the Ocala Stud consignment.

Summering Continues Success in Long Female Line of Glen Hill Multiple Stakes Winners Although her dam Wishing Gate and second dam Rich in Spirit were both multiple graded stakes winners for Glen Hill Farm, Summering added to the generational credentials as she won her second career stakes as a homebred for the longtime Florida thoroughbred farm.

The 5-year-old Summering won the $100,000 Pleasant Acres Stallions Distaff Turf by a head over Classy Woman and seven others in the mile-and-one-sixteenth event on turf in her first start of the year.

She also won the $102,000 Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes at Del Mar as a juvenile.

Off the board in the Grade 2 Yellow Ribbon Handicap won by Bodhicitta at Del Mar in her last start on Aug. 8, Summering found easier competition in the Distaff Turf and took advantage to produce the win.

Breaking from post eight with Jesus Castanon, Summering raced just off of longshot Classy Woman, who led through the early stages of the Distaff Turf with controlled fractions of :24.37 for the first two furlongs, the half in :48.75 and six furlongs in 1:12 flat.

Continued on next page THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

41

Florida-bred Summering

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SV Photography

Turning for home, Summering took the lead but Classy Woman would not let her get away with a courageous fight on the inside as those two separated in tandem from the rest. Summering put a head in front of her tenacious foe at the finish as they two mares finished in 1:41.50 and two lengths better than Lovely Luv in third. Sun Summers, Beautiful Lover, Bienville Street, Crown and Sugar, Sugar Fix and Here Comes Jackie finished up in that order.

Summering paid $10.40 to win.

Trained by Tom Proctor, Summering has now won four times with a second and a third from 11 starts with earnings of $193,731. She is

by War Front and Wishing Gate is a daughter of Indian Charlie.

Indy Lyon won by a nose ahead of Officiating, who was a neck better than Chess’s Dream in third. They were followed by Hot Blooded, Light Us Up and Osprey.

“I’m crying excited,” Bowersock said. “I was nervous, but this horse has stepped up on the turf and Ronnie did a great job.

“The horse is on his game right now. He’s confident, Ronnie was confident and I think that helped our whole team.”

Allen, who is the second leading jockey all-time with seven Florida Cup victories, also spoke of the gelding’s improvement.

“This horse has been getting better and better,” Allen said.

Indy Lyon is by Congrats out of Cameron Crazies, by Lion Heart and was bred by Rustlewood Farm Inc. This is the second Florida Cup winner produced by Cameron Cra-

Indy Lyon Leads Gate to Wire in Equistaff Sophomore Turf Indy Lyon, a winner of a $32,000 optional claiming starter allowance while leading from start to finish in his previous start, took the same strategy into the $100,000 Equistaff Sophomore Turf and won with jockey Ronnie Allen Jr. aboard to kick-off the Florida Cup 18 at Tampa Bay Downs Sunday.

Trained by Maria Bowerstock for Jerry Campbell, Indy Lyon held off a late challenge from Officiating in second and 3-5 favorite Chess’s Dream who completed the blanket finish in third.

The Sophomore Turf was the first of six stakes for Florida-breds on Florida Cup Day and saw a field of six 3-year-old Florida-breds go a mile-and-a-sixteenth on turf.

A winner of three of her previous four starts going back to a one length win against $32,000 maiden claimers going a mile on the turf at Tampa on Jan. 16, Indy Lyon broke alertly from post four and went right to the front as they came out of the turf chute and by the grandstand for the first time.

Indy Lyon set quarter-mile fractions of :24.33 and :48.58 to take a one-length advantage into the far turn with Light Us Up in second with 3-5 favorite Chess’s Dream and Officiating together in third.

Indy Lyon completed the distance in 1:42.64 on the firm turf.

Indy Lyon drew clear by a length-and-a-half with a furlong to run when Officiating and Chess’s Dream began to make up ground on the outside and those three run under the wire together.

42

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

Florida-bred Indy Lyon

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SV Photography

zies as her Prudhoe Bay, by Songandaprayer, won the 2014 OBS Sophomore Stakes in addition to winning the Jersey Shore Stakes and OBS Sprint.

He now has a record of four wins from nine starts with earnings of $105,691. He paid $12.60 to win.

Indy Lyon is a two-time graduate of OBS having sold to Red Lips Racing for $11,500 as a short yearling in the 2019 Winter Mixed Sale where he was consigned by Summerfield. Michelle Redding then consigned him later than year at the October Sale where Volar Corp. signed the purchase ticket after a $32,000 final bid.

Foreman Makes Late Run to Overtake Willy Boi to Win Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore Foreman, who runs in the name of leading trainer Gerald Bennett’s Winning Stable Inc., looked to be a sure thing second in deep stretch but made a sudden late run with jockey Daniel Centeno aboard to beat 2-1 favorite Willy Boi in the $100,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore Stakes. The OBS Sophomore featured a field of eight 3-yearold Florida-breds who went seven furlongs.

Willy Boi broke fastest of all from post five and led Foreman through quarter-mile fractions of :21.92 and :44.87 before taking a length-and-a-half lead after turning for home. Willy Boi continued with a daylight advantage inside the sixteenth pole when Foreman suddenly accelerated to take a half-length victory over Willy Boi with Shoo Shine another seven-and-a-half lengths back in third. Awesome Pudding was fourth with Gatsby, Two Steppin Kluki, Breeze on By and Pirate Parade completing the order of finish.

The final time on the fast track was 1:23.36.

Foreman won for the second time in five career starts while also finishing second once and third once and increased his earnings to $81,745.

But was his last race on Feb. 24 when Foreman was a runner-up to Florida-bred Soup and Sandwich in a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming allowance that gave Centeno confidence before the Sophomore. The day before the Florida Cup, Soup and Sandwich finished second to Known Agenda in the Grade 1 Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Xalapa at Gulfstream Park.

“Danny [Centeno] really liked him today, especially after seeing [the Florida Derby] on TV,” Bennett said. “He called me at home and said ‘We’re going to win it.’”

Centeno, who is the all-time leading jockey in Florida Cup races with 10 victories, said Foreman has also been improving recently.

“He has been doing better every race, running with nice horses and he keeps improving,” Centeno said. “I knew we had a good shot after I saw [Soup and Sandwich] run second [to Known Agenda], and he ran good today.”

Foreman is by Baoma Corp stallion Chitu, who stands at Bridlewood Farm, and is out of Strong Threat, by Strong Hope. He was bred

by Northwind Thoroughbreds LLC, Majel E. Ison and Alton B. Ison and paid $12.60 to win.

He also passed through the auction ring at OBS twice selling first to Champions of the Future at the 2019 OBS October Sale where he

Florida-bred Foreman

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SV Photography

Florida-bred Me and Mr. C

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SV Photography

was consigned by T-Square Stud. Goldencents Thoroughbreds then consigned him through the OBS Open Sale held last July where Michael Vitello bought him for $20,000.

Me and Mr. C Rallies to Win Grey Goose Turf Classic Me and Mr. C won for the third consecutive time with a come from behind victory in the $100,000 Grey Goose Turf Classic for Floridabred 3-year-olds and older going a mile-and-one-eighth on the turf.

The son of Journeyman Stud leading sire Khozan also took down a $10,000 win bonus presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association as he is eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes.

A winner of his last two starts in second condition, $32,000 optional claiming allowance races on grass at Tampa Bay Downs on Jan. 16 and Feb. 12, Me and Mr. C continued the winning streak for trainer Mike Maker.

J P Hellish showed the way while leading Second Mate by as much as two lengths moving into the far turn while clicking off a quartermile in a leisurely :24.03 and the half-mile in :48.62. Meanwhile Me and Mr. C stayed towards the back of the six horse field before Centeno gave his cue while moving four-wide around the bend.

J P Hellish still led by a length with a furlong to run as Me and Mr. C and Shamrocket briefly joined Second Mate in second before the latter two advanced on the leader.

Me and Mr. C closed fastest of all and held off Shamrocket by a half-length at the finish in a time of 1:48.55 on the firm turf.

Over the Channel was third with J P Hellish, Second Mate and Winter’s Wonder completing the order of finish.

Me and Mr. C is out of the Dynaformer mare Abiding and was bred by Stonehedge LLC. Abiding has also produced the multiple stakes-winner Abiding Star, winner of the Parx Derby, Neshaminy Stakes and Private Terms Stakes.

It was the fifth career win for the 4-year-old bay gelding who has earned $198,490 from his 17 career starts with four seconds and a third. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

43

Florida-breds Around The Country

February 2021

By Race Type/Grade

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—STAKES RACES Win/Place/Show Horse Name Sex Age Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date Track Finish Race Name

Venezuelan Hug

C

4

Constitution

Downtown Diva

Orlyana Farm

2/27/21

GP

1

Canadian Turf S.

Chess’s Dream

C

3

Jess’s Dream

Achalaya

Loren Nichols

2/27/21

GP

3

Palm Beach S.

Grade/Value

Earnings

3/$125,000

$74,400

$100,000

$9,700

Miss Auramet

M

5

Uncaptured

Hello Rosie

Marion G. Montanari

2/24/21

TAM

1

Lightning City S.

$90,750

$60,000

Imprimis

G

7

Broken Vow

Shoppers Return

Craig L. Wheeler

2/24/21

TAM

2

Turf Dash S.

$80,000

$20,000

Queen Nekia

M

6

Harlington

All Night Labor

Porter Racing Stable LLC

2/20/21

GP

1

Royal Delta S.

3/$100,000

$60,140

Golden Principal

F

4

Constitution

Gold D’ Medaglia

CESA Farm

2/13/21

SA

2

Santa Monica S.

2/$202,000

$40,000

Extravagant Kid

G

8

Kiss the Kid

Pretty Extravagant

Vicino Racing Stable

2/13/21

FG

2

Colonel Power S.

$100,000

$20,000

Harry’s Ontheloose H

5

Uncaptured

Fly Express

Herman Wilensky

2/13/21

GP

3

Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint S.

Cajun Brother

G

4

Cajun Breeze

Bella Capri Z

Shadybrook Farm Inc.

2/13/21

GP

3

Gulfstream Park Sprint S.

Souper Stonehenge G

5

Speightstown

Onepointhreekarats Live Oak Stud

2/13/21

TAM

2

Poseidon’s Passion F

4

Poseidon’s Warrior Dani Nikki

Jim Gulick

2/13/21

TAM

The Goddess Lyssa F

4

Fury Kapcori

Amazing Beauty

Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung

2/13/21

Hear My Prayer

F

4

The Big Beast

Additional Prayer

Janet Erwin

Miss Auramet

M

5

Uncaptured

Hello Rosie

Marion G. Montanari

Lady’s Island

M

7

Greatness

Broadway Martha

Bailey Bolen

3/$100,000

$9,800

3/$97,000

$10,000

Pelican S.

$75,000

$15,000

3

Minaret S.

$50,000

$5,000

TAM

1

Minaret S.

$50,000

$30,000

2/6/21

GP

3

Ladies’ Turf Sprint S.

$100,000

$9,900

2/6/21

GP

2

Ladies’ Turf Sprint S.

$100,000

$19,800

2/6/21

GP

1

Ladies’ Turf Sprint S.

$100,000

$61,380

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—ALLOWANCE Win/Place/Show .Horse Name Sex Age

Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Background

Khozan

Ephyra

Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung

2/27/21

OP

1

$88,000

G

4

Finish Value

Earnings $52,800

Silver Tunes

F

4

Chitu

Nile Tunes

Pernel T. Bagwandeen & Clinton Bagwandeen

2/27/21

TAM

2

$25,250

$5,250

Sierra Diamond

F

3

Bahamian Squall

Galaxy Princess

Donald R. Dizney LLC

2/27/21

MVR

1

$21,200

$12,720

Ceviche

F

3

Brethren

Villa Villa Coola

Arindel

2/27/21

MVR

3

$21,200

$2,120

My Lovely Girl

F

4

Poseidon’s Warrior

Orlyana Queen

Orlyana Farm

2/25/21

CT

3

$30,000

$2,975

Primal Destiny

C

4

Poseidon’s Warrior

Awesome Thrill

Ponder Hill Inc.

2/25/21

CT

1

$28,000

$16,650

Poznan

G

4

City Wolf

Atlanta Breeze

Barry Kirkham

2/24/21

MVR

2

$21,200

$4,240

Candy Kingdom

G

5

Sidney’s Candy

Caroline’s Gold

Helen Barbazon & Joseph Barbazon

2/22/21

MVR

3

$21,200

$2,120

Moma Tiger

F

4

Smiling Tiger

Proposed

Mary K. Haire

2/17/21

PEN

2

$28,616

$5,600

Frosty Star

M

5

Prospective

Trippocracy

Oakleaf Farm

2/13/21

CMR

1

$14,406

$8,526

Bad Little Beast

G

4

The Big Beast

Sweep Machine

Gail Rice

2/8/21

MVR

3

$21,800

$2,180

Hydra

M

5

Kantharos

Lava Lady

Bull Dog Racing

2/7/21

LRL

1

$44,646

$23,940

I Am That I Am

G

4

Uncaptured

Caughtnthemoment

Abdul Williams & Omani Williams

2/7/21

TAM

3

$22,625

$2,375

Wizard Willie

G

6

Gary D

Witchesofwestfield

Don L. Ming

2/6/21

MVR

1

$21,200

$12,720

Prince Blue

C

4

Soldat

J. L.’s Princess

CESA Farm

2/6/21

CMR

3

$12,936

$1,470

Cajun Commander

C

3

Cajun Breeze

Bella Capri Z

Shadybrook Farm Inc.

2/5/21

GP

3

$40,000

$4,400

Gatsby

G

3

Brethren

Star Recruit

Arindel

2/5/21

GP

2

$40,000

$8,800

Real Talk

C

3

Gemologist

Woodland Park

Ocala Stud

2/5/21

GP

1

$40,000

$24,000

To a T

F

3

Uncaptured

Striking T

Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc & Ruth Delaplane

2/3/21

GP

3

$40,000

$4,000

Foolish Heart

F

3

Chitu

R Crown Royalty

Clark Freeman

2/3/21

GP

2

$40,000

$8,400

R Adios Jersey

F

3

Adios Charlie

Marion Theatre

Ocala Stud & J. Michael O’Farrell Jr.

2/3/21

GP

1

$40,000

$24,000

Small Town Hero

G

7

Jersey Town

Pyramyst

McCauley Farms LLC

2/2/21

MVR

3

$28,800

$2,180

Savage Nation

G

6

Two Step Salsa

Tacky Image

Get Away Farm

2/2/21

MVR

2

$28,800

$4,360

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS — MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT Win/Place/Show .Horse Name Sex Age

Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Finish Value

Earnings

Shedancesforfate

M

5

Two Step Salsa

Flirting With Fate

Best A Luck Farm LLC

2/27/21

TAM

3

$25,300

$2,600

Take to the Skies

F

4

Handsome Mike

Dubai Dot

Ross Thomas Russell

2/27/21

TAM

2

$25,300

$5,200

Calogero

G

5

Kantharos

Cotulla

George Klein & Debbi Klein

2/27/21

FON

1

$7,200

$4,320

Freak

F

3

Brethren

Miso Blue

Arindel

2/26/21

GP

3

$40,000

$4,400

Ray Arewethereyet

F

3

First Dude

Bernie’s Gold

Raymond Mamone

2/26/21

GP

1

$40,000

$24,000

Lovelorn Lady

F

3

Strong Mandate

Clever Dancer

Beth Bayer

2/26/21

GP

2

$40,000

$8,400

Awesome Valentina F

4

Awesome of Course

Cotulla

George Klein & Debbi Klein

2/26/21

FON

1

$7,200

$4,320

Scrappy Artie

G

3

Uncaptured

Smart N Lonely

Montanari & Epstein

2/25/21

GP

3

$40,000

$4,000

Twice too Many

G

3

The Big Beast

Almost a Valentine

Ocala Stud

2/25/21

GP

2

$40,000

$8,000

Joshy Jak

C

3

Khozan

Zurita

A. Francis Vanlangendonck & Barbara Vanlangendonck

2/25/21

GP

1

$40,000

$24,000

Golden Answer

G

3

Jess’s Dream

Golden Ride

Maleek Crooks

2/25/21

CT

1

$27,000

$16,050

Seattle Bay

F

4

First Dude

Sassy Harper

Milton Hendry, Beth Hendry & Norman Hendry

2/20/21

FON

1

$7,200

$4,320

Enough Nonsense

C

3

Quality Road

Allseas

Farm III Enterprises LLC

2/19/21

SA

2

$62,500

$12,200

My Ashleigh

F

4

Field Commission

Reva Ann

Loretta Lynn Welch & Solera Farm

2/19/21

GP

1

$40,700

$24,000

Mackenzie’s Girl

F

4

Take Charge Indy

Yankee Victoria

Kris R. Del Giudice

2/19/21

GP

3

$40,700

$5,500

Still in the Game

R

5

Uncaptured

Double Bridled

Marco Medina

2/14/21

SA

3

$63,500

$7,320

Captain Lava

C

3

Uncaptured

Lava Lady

Bulldog Racing

2/12/21

TAM

2

$22,700

$4,700

Diamond Patriot

C

3

You Luckie Mann

Sorta Sassy

George T. Gurrola

2/9/21

MVR

1

$20,000

$12,000

Making Me Crazy

G

3

Winslow Homer

Make Note of Me

University of Florida Foundation

2/9/21

MVR

2

$20,000

$4,000

Ragtime Dolly

F

3

Union Rags

Glamalert

Ocala Stud & Centaur Farms Inc.

2/8/21

MVR

3

$20,000

$2,000

Ceviche

F

3

Brethren

Villa Villa Coola

Arindel

2/8/21

MVR

1

$20,000

$12,000

Flew by You

F

3

Carpe Diem

Peisinoe

English Range Farm

2/6/21

HOU

3

$36,000

$3,938

East Wing

F

3

Soldat

National Gallery

Lambholm & Ella Felcher

2/6/21

TAM

1

$27,900

$17,025

Before You

F

3

Field Commission

After Words

Pat Bosley & Field Commission Partnership

2/6/21

TAM

2

$27,900

$5,700

Harrykeepthechange G

3

High Cotton

Valuable Miss

Carol A. Reitman, Susan Gannon & Warren Miller

2/6/21

TAM

3

$23,100

$2,850

Raspberry Ballet

M

6

Backtalk

Oceanic Queen

Martin J. Keogh & Tanya Johnson

2/4/21

GP

3

$40,700

$5,100

Officiating

C

3

Blame

Come a Callin

Vegso Racing Stable

2/4/21

GP

2

$40,000

$8,400

Comedy Town

C

3

Speightstown

Unbridled Humor

Live Oak Stud

2/4/21

GP

1

$40,000

$24,000

Borkan

C

3

Speightstown

Sharp Kitty

Hardacre Farm LLC

2/4/21

GP

3

$40,000

$4,000

Big Band Luzziann

F

3

Big Band Sound

Luzziann

Kendel Standlee

2/3/21

GP

1

$40,000

$24,000

Causingahullbaloo

F

3

Malibu Moon

Successful Song

Live Oak Stud

2/3/21

GP

2

$40,000

$8,400

Simply the Best

F

3

Constitution

One in the Chamber

Equest Thoroughbreds Inc.

2/3/21

GP

3

$40,000

$3,000

Systematic

F

3

Outwork

Solved

Brent Fernung, Crystal Fernung & Mike Reilly

2/3/21

GP

3

$40,000

$3,000

Silver Connection

G

4

Rattlesnake Bridge

Classy Gray

Dr. Rick Erwin & Janet Erwin

2/2/21

MVR

1

$20,000

$12,000

Cajun Brother/Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes

LAUREN KING PHOTO

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Queen Nekia/Royal Delta Stakes G3

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Venezuelan Hug/Canadian Turf Stakes G3

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

45

Florida-breds Around The Country

March 2021

By Race Type/Grade

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—STAKES RACES Win/Place/Show Horse Name Sex Age Sire Me and Mr. C Shamrocket Over the Channel R Adios Jersey Psychic Ability Ray Arewethereyet Indy Lyon Officiating Chess’s Dream Tap It to Win R Mercedes Boy Hauntedbythemusic Foreman Willy Boi Shoo Shine Summering Classy Woman Lovely Luvy Soup and Sandwich Last Judgment Fulmini Rogue Too Sound Machine Lionessofbrittany Warrior’s Pride Golden Principal C Z Rocket Medina Spirit Flashndynamite Last Judgment A Bit of Both Miss Auramet Tracy Ann’s Legacy Willy Boi

G C G F F F G C C R G C G G C M M M C G C M F F C F G C M G M M M G

4 4 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 5 4 3 3 3 5 7 5 3 5 3 5 4 3 3 4 7 3 6 5 5 5 5 3

Dam

Khozan Tonalist Overanalyze Adios Charlie Adios Charlie First Dude Congrats Blame Jess's Dream Tapit Overdriven The Big Beast Chitu Uncaptured Gemologist War Front City Place He's Had Enough Into Mischief Congrats Overdriven First Dude Into Mischief Anchor Down Poseidon's Warrior Constitution City Zip Protonico Flashstorm Congrats Paynter Uncaptured Shackleford Uncaptured

Abiding Zehoorr Channel the Green Marion Theatre Future Story Bernie's Gold Cameron Crazies Come a Callin Achalaya Onepointhreekarat Velvet Charm Usual Manner Strong Threat Shining Moment Morning Rush Wishing Gate La Adelita Realgoodlookin Souper Scoop Fantasy Forest Gina's Kitten Pleasant Thunder Ava Pie Divine Vow Sophia's Pride Gold D' Medaglia Successful Sarah Mongolian Changa Dynamite Jewel Fantasy Forest Lizzie K Hello Rosie Tenacious Tripp Shining Moment

Breeder

Date Track Finish Race Name

Stonehedge LLC Rustlewood Farm Inc. Carolyn H. Rogers Estate Ocala Stud & J. Michael O’Farrell Jr. Red Oak Stable Raymond Mamone Rustlewood Farm Inc. Vegso Racing Stable Loren Nichols Live Oak Stud Ocala Stud Sorrento Oaks Farm Inc Northwind Thoroughbreds LLC Majel E. Ison & Alton Ocala Stud & William J. Terrell Rustlewood Farm Inc. Glen Hill Farm Moises Yanez Rustlewood Farm Inc. Live Oak Stud Woodford Thoroughbreds Gina D’Amato Rowling Oaks Farm LLC Farm III Farm III Enterprises LLC Just For Fun Stable Inc. CESA Farm Farm III Enterprises LLC Gail Rice Rae Marie Smith Woodford Thoroughbreds Darsan Inc. & WinStar Farm LLC Marion G. Montanari Bridle Oaks Farm Inc. Ocala Stud & William J. Terrell

3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/27/21 3/27/21 3/27/21 3/27/21 3/20/21 3/20/21 3/20/21 3/13/21 3/13/21 3/6/21 3/6/21 3/6/21 3/6/21 3/6/21 3/6/21 3/6/21

TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM TAM GP GP GP TP GP GP GP SA OP SA AQU TAM GP GP GP GP

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—ALLOWANCE

1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 1 3 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 1

Grade/Value

Earnings

Grey Goose Turf Classic S. $110,000 Grey Goose Turf Classic S. $110,000 Grey Goose Turf Classic S. $110,000 Stonehedge Farm So. Soph. Fillies $110,000 Stonehedge Farm So. Soph. Fillies $110,000 Stonehedge Farm So. Soph. Fillies $110,000 Equistaff Sophomore Turf S. $100,000 Equistaff Sophomore Turf S. $100,000 Equistaff Sophomore Turf S. $100,000 NYRABETS Sprint S. $100,000 NYRABETS Sprint S. $100,000 NYRABETS Sprint S. $100,000 OBS Sophomore S. $100,000 OBS Sophomore S. $100,000 OBS Sophomore S. $100,000 Pleasant Acres Distaff Turf S. . $100,000 Pleasant Acres Distaff Turf S. $100,000 Pleasant Acres Distaff Turf S. $100,000 Curlin Florida Derby 1/$770,000 Ghostzapper S. 3/$100,000 Cutler Bay S. $100,000 Latonia S. $96,925 Hurricane Bertie S. 3/$100,000 Melody of Colors S. $75,000 Texas Glitter S. $75,000 Beholder Mile S. 1/$301,000 Hot Springs S. $200,000 San Felipe S. 2/$301,000 Heavenly Prize Invitational S. $125,000 Michelob Ultra Challenger S. 3/$98,000 Captiva Island S. $75,000 Captiva Island S. $75,000 Captiva Island S. $75,000 Hutcheson S. $75,000

$70,000 $20,000 $10,000 $70,000 $20,000 $10,000 $60,000 $20,000 $10,000 $60,000 $20,000 $10,000 $60,000 $20,000 $10,000 $60,000 $20,000 $10,000 $161,000 $19,600 $19,400 $6,975 $19,400 $14,700 $45,570 $36,000 $120,000 $60,000 $15,000 $60,000 $45,570 $14,700 $7,350 $46,035

Win/Place/Show

.Horse Name Sex Age

Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Ahimelech G War Act G Poznan G Alex of Ice G Warrior’s Charge H Four Princesses M Golden Answer G Mon Petit Chou F Battle Cry F Big Rings F Bareback Fun F Empress Alexandra F Ragtime Dolly F Tweet Away Robin F Seattle Bay F Lady Alexandria F Angel’s Fabi F

Flat Out Poseidon's Warrior City Wolf Afleet Alex Munnings Graydar Jess's Dream The Big Beast Prospective The Big Beast Value Plus Jess's Dream Union Rags Khozan First Dude Alternation Prospective

Pomeroy Angel Snap Happy Atlanta Breeze Ice Girl Battling Brook Witch Princess Golden Ride Take Me to Zuber Fort Carillon Alotofappeal Passionate Roman Grey Empress Glamalert Brown Eyed Sue Sassy Harper True Bliss Flamingo Dancer

Angela Ingenito Just For Fun Stable Inc. Barry Kirkham Y-Lo Racing Stables LLC Al Shaquab Racing Dale Kalmar Maleek Crooks Ocala Stud Amalio Ruiz Lozano Ocala Stud & Edward Wiest & William J. Terrill Arboritanza Racing LLC Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC Ocala Stud & Centaur Farms Inc. Stonehedge LLC Milton Hendry Beth Hendry & Norman Hendry Sally J. Andersen Red Oak Stable

3/30/21 3/27/21 3/27/21 3/27/21 3/25/21 3/25/21 3/25/21 3/24/21 3/24/21 3/24/21 3/24/21 3/23/21 3/23/21 3/20/21 3/19/21 3/18/21 3/18/21

MVR MVR MVR FON OP DED CT GP GP GP MVR MVR MVR LRL FON CMR CMR

46

3 5 4 5 5 6 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 4 3 3

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

Finish Value 1 1 3 2 2 2 3 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 2 2 3

$21,800 $21,200 $21,200 $8,800 $107,000 $41,000 $28,000 $48,000 $48,000 $48,000 $22,700 $21,200 $21,200 $48,762 $7,700 $10,780 $10,780

Earnings $13,080 $12,720 $2,120 $1,760 $21,400 $8,200 $2,800 $28,800 $10,560 $5,280 $12,720 $4,240 $2,120 $4,620 $1,540 $2,200 $1,100

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS — ALLOWANCE

Win/Place/Show

.Horse Name Sex Age

Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Moma Tiger War Act Frosty Star He’s in Charge Chess Master Baby Boomer Candy Kingdom Gatsby Speargun Sir Ollie Super Brady Savage Nation Arcelor Small Town Hero Big League Benny

Smiling Tiger Poseidon's Warrior Prospective Candy Ride (ARG) Overdriven Khozan Sidney's Candy Brethren Khozan Quality Road Sky Mesa Two Step Salsa Telling Jersey Town The Big Beast

Proposed Snap Happy Trippocracy Brazen Persuasion Chesty Mamma Lina Caroline's Gold Star Recruit Super Stylish Harbouring Winey Taylor Tacky Image Bouvet Pyramyst Load Up

Mary K. Haire Just For Fun Stable Inc. Oakleaf Farm Bridlewood Farm Brenda K. Jones Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung Helen Barbazon & Joseph Barbazon Arindel Al Shaqab Racing Vegso Racing Stable Red Oak Stable Get Away Farm Norman G. Houston III McCauley Farms LLC Oakleaf Farm

3/17/21 3/15/21 3/14/21 3/11/21 3/10/21 3/10/21 3/9/21 3/5/21 3/5/21 3/5/21 3/3/21 3/1/21 3/1/21 3/1/21 3/1/21

PEN MVR CMR FG TAM TAM MVR GP GP GP HOU MVR MVR MVR TUP

F G M C G G G G C C G G M G C

4 5 5 3 5 4 5 3 3 3 4 6 7 7 4

Finish Value 3 2 1 2 1 2 3 1 2 3 3 1 1 2 1

$28,000 $21,800 $14,700 $61,000 $26,125 $26,125 $21,200 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $39,000 $21,800 $21,800 $21,800 $17,500

Earnings $3,080 $4,360 $8,526 $12,200 $15,375 $5,250 $2,120 $26,400 $9,680 $4,840 $4,257 $13,080 $13,080 $4,360 $10,850

FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT Win/Place/Show .Horse Name Sex Age

Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Blazing Miss Jojo Rileys Dude Lord Eddard Stark Emirates Affair Still in the Game Baseline Drive Preacher Cowboy At Heart The Red Man Soul Dancer Ransoms Reward Take to the Skies Doctor Doom Lovelorn Lady Raspberry Ballet Scrappy Artie Moanas Power Shez Stuck Up Uphold the Law Twice too Many My Mane Man Ribbons and Medals Kukulkan Smarmy Astroturf Hatchet Creek Lime Simply the Best Ladies’ Choice Queen Letizia Ragtime Dolly Making Me Crazy Preacher Causingahullbaloo Officiating Systematic Flight to Paradise Katiesdreamgirl Borkan Queen Letizia Unclejackomo

Prayer for Relief First Dude He's Had Enough Handsome Mike Uncaptured Point of Entry Fury Kapcori Ride On Curlin Chitu Chitu Warrior's Reward Handsome Mike Hit It a Bomb Strong Mandate Backtalk Uncaptured Uncaptured Graydar Upstart The Big Beast Bahamian Squall To Honor and Serv Corfu Liam's Map Speightstown Lemon Drop Kid Iqbaal Constitution Cajun Breeze Khozan Union Rags Winslow Homer Fury Kapcori Malibu Moon Blame Outwork Temple City Young Brian Speightstown Khozan Uncle Vinny

Extremadura Galabella Rough Winter Emirates Girl Double Bridled Corner Three Religious Type Color My Heart Miss Rhonda Dancin' Lil Tuberose Dubai Dot Port Au Princess Clever Dancer Oceanic Queen Smart N Lonely Sweet Chantal Malibu Style Scribbling Sarah Almost a Valentine Give Glory to God Our Candy Striper Nonotesneeded Ebony Moment Embellishment (IR) Weoka Home Alona One in the Chambe Theladysaidno Queen of Oz Glamalert Make Note of Me Religious Type Successful Song Come a Callin Solved Bird of Paradise Richiesdreamgirl Sharp Kitty Queen of Oz Hines Farley Rules

Arboritanza Racing LLC The Jerome G. Bozzo Trust Michael John Rowe Helen Barbazon & Joseph Barbazon Marco Medina Masters 2013 Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung Stephen H. Smith Craig L. Wheeler Tanma Corp Hidden Point Farm Inc. Ross Thomas Russell Penny Lopez & Angel Lopez Beth Bayer Martin J. Keogh & Tanya Johnson Montanari & Epstein Pedro Maestre Four Horsemen’s Ranch Gail Rice Ocala Stud Pamela Edel Live Oak Stud Luis D. Martinez Barry Berkelhammer & Rich Averill Bridlewood Farm Carolyn Wilson Wesley Ward Equest Thoroughbreds Inc. Shadybrook Farm Inc Cheryl Janine McGuire & James Patrick McGuire Ocala Stud & Centaur Farms Inc. University of Florida Foundation Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung Live Oak Stud Vegso Racing Stable Brent Fernung, Crystal Fernung & Mike Reilly Live Oak Stud John Liviakis Hardacre Farm LLC Cheryl Janine McGuire & James Patrick McGuire Jack Treadway

3/30/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/28/21 3/26/21 3/26/21 3/26/21 3/24/21 3/24/21 3/24/21 3/24/21 3/24/21 3/23/21 3/21/21 3/21/21 3/20/21 3/20/21 3/20/21 3/18/21 3/18/21 3/18/21 3/17/21 3/17/21 3/14/21 3/14/21 3/13/21 3/12/21 3/12/21 3/12/21 3/11/21 3/9/21 3/8/21 3/7/21 3/5/21 3/5/21 3/5/21 3/5/21 3/5/21 3/5/21 2/25/21 2/9/21

MVR TAM TAM TAM SA GP FON GP GP GP TAM TAM PRX GP GP GP TAM HAW GP GP GP PEN CT OP TAM HAW GP GP GP CMR MVR MVR FON GP GP GP GP GP GP CMR MVR

F G G F R F G G G G F F C F M G F F C G G G H F G C F F F F F G G F C F G F C F G

3 3 3 3 5 4 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 6 3 3 4 3 3 3 4 6 3 4 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3

Finish Value 2 2 3 3 2 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 3 1 1 3 3 1 1 2 3 2 2 3 3 3 1 1 3 2 1 1 3 1 1 2 2 3 3 2 3

$20,000 $26,800 $26,800 $25,100 $62,000 $48,900 $7,200 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $25,600 $25,100 $50,850 $52,000 $48,900 $46,000 $25,600 $22,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $30,352 $27,000 $93,000 $25,100 $22,000 $40,000 $40,000 $40,000 $11,000 $20,000 $20,000 $7,200 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $44,000 $11,000 $20,000

Earnings $4,000 $6,200 $3,100 $2,600 $12,200 $31,300 $4,320 $26,400 $9,680 $4,840 $3,600 $2,600 $4,400 $34,000 $31,300 $5,500 $3,350 $13,200 $26,400 $9,680 $4,840 $5,420 $5,400 $9,300 $3,100 $2,200 $16,200 $16,200 $4,400 $2,200 $12,000 $11,600 $864 $26,400 $26,400 $9,240 $8,800 $4,840 $3,960 $2,200 $2,000

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

47

Roberto Rodriguez

De Reclamero a Millonario L

a fascinante historia del ejemplar Jesus’ Team va mucho más allá de su reciente actuación en la millonaria Dubai World Cup, carrera en donde finalizó en la sexta posición. Sin embargo, este viene a ser hasta el momento un capítulo más en la excelente campaña del pensionado de José Francisco D’Angelo, quien no ha hecho otra cosa más que entenderse a la perfección con Jesus’ Team, caballo que pasó a ser de “reclamero a millonario”.

Muchas son las anécdotas que podemos llegar a conocer dentro del fascinante mundo de las carreras de caballos y precisamente lo sucedido con Jesus’ Team, es una de ellas. A finales del mes de marzo 2020, el Grupo 7C tomó la decisión de retirarle a un entrenador del circuito de Gulfstream Park sus ejemplares Alejandro’s Team, Franco’s Team, Star Juancho, y el mencionado Jesus’ Team, siendo estos enviados al establo del joven entrenador José Francisco D’Angelo, quien proviene de una familia de hípicos exitosos; incluyendo a su padre, maestro, asistente; y amigo, Francisco “Kiko” D’Angelo.

El 8 de mayo del año pasado, Jesus’ Team superó ampliamente a los rivales que le salieron al paso en un módico evento de reclamo en Gulfstream Park. Pero no fue esa carrera precisamente la que despertó en D’Angelo la inquietud de intentar en lotes superiores con su presentado, sino un ejercicio “bullet” realizado el 31 de ese mismo mes en el Centro de Entrenamientos Palm Meadows (Florida), donde el hijo de Tapiture impresionó a todos los presentes marcando :47.3 para la media milla finalizando como el mejor de cuarenta ejemplares que recorrieron esta distancia en esa mañana de briseos. “Ese trabajo abrió mis ojos y sentí inmediatamente que este caballo podía ser capaz de grandes cosas.” Me comentó D’Angelo.

La trayectoria de ocho eventos de corte selectivos consecutivos incluyendo cinco Grado 1 donde ha participado hasta la fecha Jesus’ Team comenzó después de un segundo lugar en un exigente Allowance Optional Claiming en Gulfstream Park -Junio 10-. “Esa carrera me confirmó que estábamos apuntando al blanco correcto.” Cinco se-

manas más tarde, Jesus’ Team cruzaba la meta en el cuarto lugar en el Haskell G1 $1,000,000 detrás de nada más y nada menos que Authentic, ejemplar que se convertiría en el ganador del premio Eclipse como el mejor tresañero y Caballo del Año del 2020.

Con dos excelentes recientes competencias en su haber como lo fueron el Pegasus Stakes (2do) y Jim Dandy Stakes G2 (3ro), Jesus’ Team invadía los terrenos de Pimlico para enfrentar a los mejores tresañeros del país en el Preakness Stakes G1. Sin embargo, el camino recorrido previo al Preakness no fue fácil para Jesus’ Team, ni para la familia D’Angelo. Precisamente un día después de la celebración del Jim Dandy G2 en Saratoga y mientras José Francisco, mejor conocido como “Kikito”, manejaba el camión que transportaba a su consentido Jesus’ Team, recibió la lamentable noticia del fallecimiento de su amado abuelo Don José D’Angelo, una persona querida y respetada, no solo por sus familiares y amigos, sino por muchas personas allegadas al hipismo venezolano. “Fue una noticia devastadora. Sobre todo por la impotencia de no poder estar físicamente con mi familia en Venezuela y apoyarlos en ese duro momento. Mi abuelo representa muchas cosas para mi. Es un vacío muy grande el que dejó. Seguiré tratando de hacerlo sentir orgulloso de mí dondequiera que esté.”

El hipismo es un deporte que despierta pasiones, nos hace débiles y a la vez fuertes, sufrimos, reímos, tenemos momentos de alegrías y tristezas. Esta montaña rusa de emociones seguramente fue la que vivió “Kikito” cuando a pesar de la pena que le embargaba por la muerte de Don José, su caballo Jesus’ Team transformó el dolor en júbilo cuando en valiente demostración finalizó tercero en el Preakness Stakes G1 detrás de Swiss Skydiver y Authentic. Luego viajó a Keeneland para escoltar a Knicks Go en la Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile G1, competencia esta donde se le otorgó una cifra Beyer de 102, la más alta hasta ese momento en su carrera. “Fueron días increíbles. Muchos sentimientos encontrados. Pero debíamos mantenernos

concentrados en hacer nuestro trabajo profesionalmente.” Dijo D’Angelo.

Jesus’ Team regresó a su patio para reclamar la Claiming Crown Jewel $150,000 en Gulfstream Park el 5 de diciembre. Carrera que le sirvió como preparatoria para la Pegasus World Cup Invitational G1 $3,000,000 en donde se vería las caras de nuevo Knicks Go. Pero, el tordillo que entrena Brad Cox superó a Jesus’ Team por dos cuerpos y ¾ en 1:49.1 para la milla y. “Estoy muy orgulloso de mi caballo. Quien iba a pensar que después de estar corriendo en eventos de reclamo, finalice en el segundo lugar en una de las pruebas más ricas de los Estados Unidos y además recibir una cifra Beyer de 105.

Ha sido un gran trabajo de cuadra. Nada de esto hubiese sido posible sin ellos.” Nos dijo José Francisco D’Angelo días después del millonario evento.

Jesus’ Team (15-3-5-3 y $1,338,540) arribó sin pena ni gloria a

Palm Meadows a principios del mes de abril después de su viaje a Dubai donde participó en la Dubai World Cup $12,000,000 en Meydan finalizando sexto. “Las cosas no salieron como esperábamos. Fue una competencia difícil y donde teníamos altas expectativas. Pero así es el hipismo. Debemos concentrarnos en lo que está por venir. Lo más importante es que Jesus’ Team ya se está recuperando del viaje. Es un ejemplar que supera las 1,100 libras, pero que igual necesita descansar. Es un viaje sencillamente consumidor.” Finalizó D’Angelo.

Estamos seguros de que esta historia no ha llegado a su fin, por ahora continuaremos mirando a través de los binoculares la campaña de este ejemplar, que pasó a ser de Reclamero a Millonario. ■ Editor’s Note: If you would like an English translation of this column, please contact Brock Sheridan, Editor-in-Chief at 352.732.8858 or email at: bsheridan@ftboa.com

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18-19, 22-23, 36-37 FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 JOURNEYMAN STUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2, 13 NATIONAL THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 OCALA BREEDERS' SALES COMPANY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 OCALA STUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BACK COVER PETERSON SMITH EQUINE HOSPITAL + COMPLETE CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

49

Membership Update

Tammy A. Gantt Associate Vice President, Director of Membership Services & Events, FEC Contributing Editor and FTC Industry & Community Affairs JOHN D. FILER PHOTO

Keeping Members Informed Horse Fever Events Raise Funds, Create Excitement

Clockwork Fury, a Horse Fever public art statue, donated by Journeyman Stud was auctioned for charity at the OBS March sale and brought $30,000. Both Florida Thoroughbred Charities and the Marion Cultural Alliance received more than $13,000 each after expenses to modernize the piece were deducted. The project was part of the Florida Sire Stakes Yearling deadline Horse Fever 20/20 onElection forms available going event that inElection forms due cluded the sale of a new collection of Virtual Gala Awards Show horses, a number of Foal registration deadline community events, Charity golf tournament and dinner and the release of the Annual meeting Giving Collection in honor of Dick Hancock, the late former longtime executive at FTBOA. Hancock was named Horse Fever champion for his dedication to the project for nearly 20 years. The collection consists of three horses that are being raffled. Each ticket is $100 for each horse and the drawing is June 4. Tickets can be purchased at https://mcaocala.org/. The collection was showcased to large outdoor crowds at the new World Equestrian Center by the Festivals of Speed car show on Kentucky Derby weekend. In addition, a statue was dedicated to the late Ocala police chief Greg Graham and given to the city.

Upcoming Dates & Deadlines May 15 June 24 July 26 Aug. TBD Aug. 31 Oct. 8 Oct. 22

Golf Tournament Set for Ocala National In 2019, the Florida Thoroughbred Charities held a fun-filled and exciting sold out tournament, sold out dinner, auctions and promotional activities at Ocala National golf course. Because of the enthusiasm and fundraising success of that event, FTC will be hosting the tournament there on Oct. 8, the Friday before the Fall OBS sale. Back again is Valerie Dailey, FTBOA executive board member and charity chair, along with Debbie Green and Donna Delahunty, the golf chairs. Green has been a dedicated volunteer tirelessly holding events and planning the tournament because she strongly believes in the thoroughbred retirement program in Florida that ties in the correctional facility to change women’s lives. In addition to raising funds for the TRF Second Chances farm, funds raised go to youth education, industry and community charities.

Wire to Wire is Digital Wire to Wire Racing Digest moved from publishing one day a week in a digital format to five days per week over the course of 2020. The digest is delivered by email each evening by 6 p.m. to inboxes of members, stakeholders and industry fans. If you are not receiving Wire to Wire, please contact us so we can ensure we have your e-mail on file and confirm we are on your safe senders list to receive it. Two specialized reports only available in Wire to Wire are the Florida stallion progeny in each race day and Florida-breds in races each race day.

Check it out at http://www.wiretowire.net/.

Gulfstream Park Spring/Summer Florida-bred and Florida Sire Stakes Races and Bonuses Date May 29 May 31 June 12 50

Race Musical Romance (Fla.) Soldier's Dancer (Fla.) Ginger Punch (Fla.)

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021

Conditions 3yo and older, fillies and mares 3yo and older 3yo and older, fillies and mares

Distance 6 ½ fur.

1 1/16 mi. turf 1 1/16 mi. turf

Purse $75,000* $75,000* $75,000*

Closes May 16 May 16 May 30