April May Florida Horse 2016

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by Stephen Got Even–Run Sarah Run by Smart Strike • $7,500

What they are saying about OBS March Sale stars...

Hip 520 worked in :10 1/5 $120,000 from Michael Machowsky, Agent

“I have a couple of First Dude’s in the barn in California and I really like their stride. They cover a lot of ground when they move. I think First Dude is going to be one of those stallions in a few years that will make people look back and wish they had more of them.”

1st Ranked Second Crop Sire in Florida 16 Wins including a Stakes Winner 2016 earnings of $430,509 (As of 3/21/2016)

Hip 497 worked in :10 flat $200,000 from Lady Sheila Stable, LLC “What I liked about his work is that he did it very easy. He looks like he can run long or short on the dirt or on the turf.”

Hip 569 worked in :9 4/5 $210,000 from Sterling Racing LLC & Sternberg, Harry Benson, Agt. “He’s is just an outstanding colt and I liked the way he worked. He certainly looks like he can go two turns.”

– Sam Herzberg, Sterling Racing

– Linda Rice, Trainer

Donald R.Dizney

https://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Dude/130049330338431

PEOPLE PHOTOS: BROCK SHERIDAN • CONFORMATION: SERITA HULT

– Michael Machowsky, Trainer

Standing: First Dude & Bahamian Squall • Contact Roger Brand, Jimmy Alexander or Melissa Anthony for stallion inquiries

899 S.W. 85th Ave., Ocala, FL 34481 • (352) 237-3834 Fax: (352) 237-6069 • visit-www.doublediamondfarm.com

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A P R I L / M AY • 2 0 1 6 • VO L 5 9 / I S S U E 4

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS 6

—By Brock Sheridan

Country-wide Florida-bred statistics

66 AROUND THE COUNTRY

BROCK TALK

8 FLORIDA FOCUS 40 OBIT: NORMAN CASSE 47 FTBOA NEWS 52 LEGISLATIVE NEWS

—By Tammy A. Gantt

70 FTBOA MEMBER UPDATE —By Jamie Cohen

71 FARM MANAGEMENT —By Mike Mullaney

72 DRIFTING OUT

—By Caton Bredar

74 CATON’S CALL

FEATURES 18

OBS Sale of Two-Year-Olds in training a success with the topper selling for $1.7 million —By Brock Sheridan

OBS MARCH SALE

22 STREAKING JET

Solid Dubai prep for Florida-bred XY Jet —By Mike Mullaney

26

2015 exploits of Sheer Drama, Jacks or Better earn their teams multiple honors —By Mike Mullaney & Brock Sheridan

32

2015 FTBOA CHAMPIONS

Pictorial of the night’s event —

FTBOA FLASHBACK GALA

Photos By Mike Copeland

NEEDLES’ 60TH ANNIVERSARY With his 1956 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes victories, Needles remains one of the most influential Florida-breds of all time. —By JoAnn Guidry

36

42 TAMPA BAY

Tampa records fall on dirt, turf and at the windows —By Brock Sheridan

56 DECOUPLING ADVICE Strategic Insight to US Thoroughbred Horsemen & States —By Brock Sheridan 58 62

JOCKEYS AND JEANS TOBA PEDIGREE SEMINAR

Different race, same weekend —By Tammy A. Gantt

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

COVER PHOTO OF SHEER DRAMA: COGLIANESE • CONTENTS PHOTO OF MOHAYMEN: LAUREN KING

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Important FTBOA Dates and Deadlines 2016

801 SW 60th Avenue Fax: (352) 867-1979 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF MANAGING EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR-INDUSTRY & COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ART DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PRODUCTION PRINT TECH OPERATIONS & FACILITIES CEO & PUBLISHER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BUSINESS & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Ocala, Florida 34474 • (352) 732-8858 www.ftboa.com Brock Sheridan Mike Mullaney Tammy A. Gantt John D. Filer Antoinette Griseta Emily Mills, Nancy Moffatt Jeff Powell LONNY TAYLOR POWELL CAROLINE T. DAVIS DIANE LAJQI

Florida Equine Communications, Inc. (A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)

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© THE FLORIDA HORSE (ISSN 0090-967X) is published monthly except July by THE FLORIDA HORSE, INC., 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474, including the annual Statistical Review in February.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Florida Equine Communications or the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. Publication of any material originating herein is expressly forbidden without first obtaining written permission from THE FLORIDA HORSE©.

GEORGE RUSSELL, PRESIDENT/BOARD CHAIRMAN JOSEPH M. O’FARRELL III, 1ST VICE PRESIDENT GIL CAMPBELL, 2ND VICE PRESIDENT SHEILA DIMARE, SECRETARY FRED BREI, TREASURER Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing in North America are compiled from data generated by Daily Racing Form, Equibase, Bloodstock Research Information Services, and The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., the copyright owners of said data. Reproduction is prohibited.

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George Russell Lonny Taylor Powell Joseph M. O’Farrell III Gil Campbell Sheila DiMare Fred Brei Phil Matthews, DVM Barry Berkelhammer, Mark Casse, George Isaacs, Richard Kent, Milan Kosanovich, Roy Lerman, Diane Parks, Jessica Steinbrenner, Charlotte C. Weber, Greg Wheeler PAST PRESIDENTS Don Dizney, Harold Plumley, Stanley Ersoff, John C. Weber,MD, Douglas Oswald CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER/ ASSISTANT TREASURER Caroline T. Davis ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT/ MEMBER SERVICES & EVENTS Tammy A. Gantt ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT/ OPERATIONS & ADMINISTRATION Diane Lajqi EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ ASSISTANT SECRETARY Becky Robinson MEMBERSHIP SERVICES & EVENTS COORDINATOR Sally Moehring REGISTRATIONS & PAYMENTS COORDINATOR Sheila Budden

*Florida Sire Stakes 2YO Payment FTBOA Marion County Legislative Days OBS Championship Stakes FTC Charity Stallion Season Auction FTBOA Info Center at OBS Stallion Registration Deadline *Late FSS 2YO Payment Membership Renewal Deadline Awards Gala FTBOA Info Center at OBS Day at Races–Tampa Business Leaders Trip FTBOA Info Center at OBS Last Chance 2YO FSS Payment Farm and Service Directory Deadline Kentucky Derby Florida Sire Stakes Yearling Payment Preakness Belmont Scholarship Application Deadline FTBOA Info Center at OBS June Election Candidate forms available July Candidate Forms Deadline Late Stallion Registration Deadline Florida Sire Stakes FTBOA Info Center at OBS Foal Registration Deadline Florida Sire Stakes Equine Institute FSS Bus Trip Stallion Directory Page Deadline FSS Finals Charity Golf Tourney FTBOA Info Center at OBS Annual Meeting Breeders’ Cup Late/Late Stallion Registration Deadline FSS Late Yearling Payment Farm City Farm Festival Farm City Ag Hall of Fame Dinner Member Holiday Charity Open House Late Foal Registration Deadline

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*Prior yearling payment required

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FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Tammy Gantt: tgantt@ftboa.com, (352) 732-8858, ext. 239 Online at FTBOA.com 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 Additional event and charity dates 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 will be added as they are scheduled. www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016 5

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the Brock talk

Brock Sheridan

Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Communications

JOHN D. FILER PHOTO

Florida Sires Again Off to Fast Starts T

he first three months of 2016 are now in the history books and annual stallion statistics are beginning to take shape. Although the juveniles are just now getting prepared to hit the tracks and the freshman sire list will begin to develop later, we can begin to look at the second crop and third crop sire lists and again see some of our Florida sires near the top of the national rankings.

As of Mar. 30, Ocala Stud’s Kantharos is ranked second nationally on the list of third crop sires. So far this year, the 8-year-old son of Lion Heart out of Contessa Halo, by Southern Halo is represented by 36 runners who have already amassed $1,023,876. His two stakes winners on the year include the very talented sprinter X Y Jet and the 3-year-old Danbury and the two account for three stakes wins. Of his 36 starters this year, 15 of those starters have won and accounted for 20 victories since the beginning of the year.

X Y Jet, who is out of the Lost Soldier mare Soldiersingtheblues, has been one of the more prominent sprinters in North America having started his 2016 campaign with a victory in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 16, defeating the 2014 Floridabred Horse of the Year Wildcat Red in the process.

Bred in Florida by Didier Plasencia of Ocala, X Y Jet then extended his winning streak to six by taking the Grade 3 Gulfstream Park Sprint Stakes, also at Gulfstream,

Kantharos and First Dude have again taken their “ places among the national leaders of the respective classes. ” on Feb. 27. Although he bobbled at the start of the Gulfstream Park Sprint, a problem he has had before, X Y Jet was able to recover quick enough to make the early lead and extend his winning margin to 1 ½ lengths in a time of 1:15.95 for the six and-a-half furlong.

But perhaps his best effort came March 26 at Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, U.A.E. in the $2 million Golden Shaheen sponsored by Gulf News (G1-UAE) at about six furlongs. Again X Y Jet stumbled at the start but was again able to get up and challenge Rich Tapestry for the lead. Turning for home, Rich Tapestry was unable to keep pace with the quick and sturdy X Y Jet but Muarrab was up to challenge 6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

on his outside. Those two battled to the wire in the most exciting stretch run of the stakes-laden evening with Muarrab getting the edge under the wire over X Y Jet in second.

In the days following the Golden Shaheen, it was discovered that X Y Jet had a small chip in his left knee and will need surgery. But Trainer Jorge Navaro emphasized it was a minor chip and that the gelding owned by California’s Rockingham Ranch and Ocala’s Gelfenstein Farm is likely to return to the races after some rest and relaxation.

Danbury picked up his stakes win before Ocala race fans where he won the $50,000 OBS Sprint Stakes at the Ocala Training Center on Jan. 26. Owned by Michael G. Bernard and bred in Florida by Robert C. Roffey Jr., of Ocala, Danbury raced just to the outside of early leader Dioscuri but dispatched him in the turn to eventually win by a 1 ½ lengths over late-running Lazanus Project.

In his only other start of 2016, Danbury picked up a check by running fifth in the Grade 3 Hutcheson Stakes won by fellow Florida-bred Awesome Banner at Gulfstream on Jan. 2.

Double Diamond Farm’s First Dude again has placed himself among the leaders of his class as he ranks fourth nationally on the list of second crop sires with $501,105 in progeny earning through Mar. 30. The son of Stephen Got Even and Run Sarah Run, by Smart Strike counts Flora Dora among his stakes winners on the year. His 15 winners also account for 18 trips to the winners’ circle during the first quarter of 2016.

Flora Dora races for the husband and wife team of Bob Cummings and Annette Bacola’s Coffeepot Stables of Chicago and coincidentally trained by Marialice Coffey.

Bred by Dizney Double Diamond Farm LLC of Ocala, Flora Dora won the $100,000 Busanda Stakes at Aqueduct on Jan. 31 and was fourth in the $125,000 Busher Stakes, also at Aqueduct in her two races this year.

Yes there is plenty of racing left in 2016. But it is admirable that both Kantharos and First Dude have again taken their places among the national leaders of the respective classes and to produce race horses who continue the tradition of world class runners bred here in the Sunshine State. ■

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Florida’s Swift Lady Wins Again The streaking Florida-bred Swift Lady took her third straight race Feb. 14 at Santa Anita, and her second consecutive on its unique 6½-furlong turf course, when she registered a 2¼-length tally over the Irish-bred Nodiac in the $75,000 Sweet Life Stakes.

Swift Lady – a daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Awesome of Course out of Valid Wager’s daughter The Church Lady – was bred by Ciaran and Amy Dunne and was purchased by Charles Chu for $170,000 out of Wavertree Stables consignment at last year’s OBS June auction. Her half-brother by Adios Charlie was sold to Tom Durant for $300,000 during OBS’ March sale as Hip No. 322.

Now owned by Baoma Corp., Swift Lady went wide and finished willingly in losing her debut at Del Mar before breaking her maiden at Los Alamitos. Both events were on the main track.

She beat winners in her effort previous to the Sweet Life, an $80,000 optional-claimer on the same course and distance on Jan. 15.

Breaking from post 8 in the nine-filly Sweet Life field, she and Martin Garcia stalked the pace set by 18-1 Uptown Twirl through fractions of :21.52 and :43.91. The even-money favorite easily came away from the competition in the stretch with Garcia doing little more than mild encouragement.

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Decked Out. Swift Lady paid $4.20 after hitting the wire in 1:13.04. Her record of 3-1-0 from four starts has earned her $122,420.

Trainer Bob Baffert, who expressed confidence in his filly and said he knew she was quick, expressed mild surprise with her willingness to sit off the pace. He said he plans to keep her on the turf for the foreseeable future.

The Church Lady, 17, was bred to First Dude last year and to He’s Had Enough this year. Her first foal, a colt by Doneraile Court named Codio, was stakes placed in Canada and owner of a course record for 7½ furlongs at Turf Paradise. Another foal by Doneraile Court, the filly Sheyenne Girl, was a blacktype winner in Canada.

The Church Lady’s second dam, Newsun, produced Charlie You Know and Rockabye Joshua, both multiple stakes winners at old Philadelphia Park and Pimlico, and both earners of more than $300,000. The family is that of Blue Grass Stakes winner and Flamingo runner-up Skytracer. ■

Catholic Cowboy Returns to Winners’ Circle in Old Hickory Mossarosa’s Florida-bred Catholic Cowboy came from the clouds at the 7-5 favorite to win the $60,000 Old Hickory Starter Stakes on Feb. 15 for trainer Nick Zito. Winner of the Claiming Crown Jewel at Gulfstream in 2014, Catholic Cowboy had run with credit thereafter without actually visiting the winner’s circle.

He came into the special Presidents Day program at Gulfstream Park off a third-place

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Florida-bred Swift Lady

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Florida FOCUS by Mike Mullaney

Florida-bred Catholic Cowboy

effort in the $250,000 Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Jan. 16 behind winner Mexikoma.

Jockey Luis Saez allowed the 6-year-old to lope along ahead of only Starship Zeus in the six-horse field as Sr. Quisqueyano set fractions of :23:34 for the first quarter and :47.40 for the half with Rizwan pushing him the entire way. Tuscan Getaway followed in third with Muntij fourth, a length in front of Catholic Cowboy.

Approaching the final turn, Saez moved Catholic Cowboy to the outside as did Julien Leparoux on Muntij. However, Muntij found room between horses to save some ground on the favorite. Although Muntij took the lead in the stretch, Catholic Cowboy continued to improve his position and finally edged in front in the shadow of the wire.

His final time was 1:43.22 for the 1 1/16 miles on a fast track Catholic Cowboy, a son of Heatseeker out of Kombat Lake, by Meadowlake, notched the fifth win of his 28-race career.

The victory pushed his lifetime earnings to $403,876.

He was bred by Luis de Hechavarria of Ocala, Fla., and received his early training from Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck at their Summerfield operation in Morriston, Fla. ■

Nice Return on You Bought Her Defending champion You Bought Her took the measure of the early leaders on the turn for home and was virtually home-free at the eighth pole, cruising to a 4¼-length victory in the Feb. 20 Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

The 6-year-old Florida-bred daughter of Graeme Hall out of Striking T, by Smart Strike, is owned by Richard Perkins and Hinsley Racing Stable and trained by David Hinsley. She was bred by C.L. Delaplane and R.G. Delaplane Trust UA and Shade Tree Stables. The victory was her eighth in 38

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her one time, and once she switched leads she went on with it.”

No Fault of Mine finished 2¼ lengths ahead of R Sassy Lass, followed by Legal Laura.

You Bought Her has come a long way since she had a chip removed from an Florida-bred You Bought Her ankle after she had her heels clipped from behind in the Grade 3 Arlington- know her – have fun,’” Hinsley said. “There Washington Lassie Stakes as a 2-year-old, caus- was enough speed in there for the race to set up for her, and I liked her post position being her to fall.

She did not win again until March of her cause she couldn’t get into any trouble from 4-year-old season in an allowance/optional out there.”

Hinsley may point You Bought Her to the claiming race at Tampa Bay Downs.

“She is getting better with age, almost like Grade 2, $200,000 Inside Information Stakes fine wine,” an emotional Sharon Hinsley said. at Gulfstream on March 19. She finished sec“All I told Brian in the paddock was ‘You ond in that race last year. ■

SV PHOTOGRAPHY

starts, and first-place money of $30,000 upped her earnings to $399,418.

You Bought Her’s time for the six furlongs was 1:10.02, second among the 35 runnings of the Minaret only to It’s Me Mom’s 2011 record of 1:09.68.

The favorite, she paid $4.60.

“She likes this racetrack, and she seems to respond to Brian. He likes her and she likes him,” Hinsley said. “She has been improving all the time.”

After breaking from Post 9, jockey Brian Pedroza launched his move aboard You Bought Her on the turn, and his cue brought a rapid response.

“I felt I was on the best horse, and I was very confident,” Pedroza said. “She was in a comfortable stride, and I know her so well that I knew I had enough horse to get to the wire. I just kept her clear and asked

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Florida FOCUS Longshot Iron Rob Proves Best in Baffle Stakes

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

gate. Santiago was holding him the whole way. Crossing the wire, he was holding him even. He jumped off because he didn’t want to have him keep galloping out or to have to jog back after.”

Owned by Kretz Racing, LLC, Iron Rob, who broke his maiden Supplemented at a cost of $1,500, longshot Iron Rob validated the investment with a half-length win in the $75,000 Baffle Stakes at two starts back going 5½ furlongs at Los Alamitos Dec. 4, got his sec6 ½ furlongs on Feb. 21 at Santa Anita. Originally scheduled for the ond win from nine starts. With the winner’s share of $47,100, he increased his earnings to $110,520. hillside turf at the same distance, the Baffle Tiz a Billy, who took the lead coming was switched to the main track due to rainout of the seven furlong chute, battled back fall earlier in the week. Ridden by Santiago late under Flavien Prat and finished 8½ Gonzalez and trained by George Papaprolengths in front of He’s a Tiger. Fractions on dromou, the 3-year-old Florida-bred colt by the race were :22.07, :45.04 and 1:09.06.

Twirling Candy out of Cold Blooded, by Iron Rob was bred by John Pereira of Tiger Ridge got the distance in 1:15.50.

Reddick, Fla. He is a two-time graduate of Breaking from post 2 in a field that was Ocala Breeders’ Sales having first been a reduced to four sophomores by a pair of late Florida-bred Iron Rob $29,000 RNA from the consignment of scratches, Iron Rob sat a restrained second to favored Tiz a Billy around the far turn, took over a furlong out and Thoroughstock in the 2014 OBS August Sale. Last year he went through the ring during the OBS April Sale and sold for $90,000 to won while eased up a bit at the wire.

With no show wagering, Iron Rob, who was pulled up after the Gayle Van Leer, agent. He was consigned in that auction by Hemingrace on the club house turn and did not return to the winner’s circle, way Racing and Training Stables. ■ was off at 5-1 and paid $13.60 and $3.80.

“He’s fine,” said Papaprdromou. “He stumbled coming out of the

Ballet Diva Back in the Spotlight

10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

Just five days after being awarded the title of champion juvenile filly of 2015, Ballet Diva showed she is in no hurry to leave center stage, exhibiting speed and grit while registering a one-length victory over Put Da Blame on Me in the $75,000 Any Limit Stakes Mar. 19 at Gulfstream Park.

Ballet Diva, a cleverly named daughter of Ocala Stud stallion Hear No Evil out of the Nureyev mare Dame Sylvieguilhem, bred by Jacks or Better Farm in Reddick, had won four of her six starts in 2015 while earning $339,675, with stakes scores in the Cassidy and the Susan’s Girl division of the Florida Sire Stakes before closing out the year with a tally in the House Party on Nov. 28.

She had stumbled through a series of missteps in 2016, opening the year with three defeats, all at Gulfstream, finishing third to Lucy n Ethel in the Grade 3 Old Hat; then third to the highly regarded Cathryn Sophia in the Grade 2 Forward Gal, and, most recently, fourth to Off the Tracks in the ungraded Margate on Feb. 21 after holding an early lead.

The victors of those races are a classy trio, and Ballet Diva was up against another star in the Any Limit in Caren, a juvenile filly last year who was making her dirt debut after competing on Polytrack at Woodbine. Caren was the slight favorite, off at 6-5 while Ballet Diva was right there at 13-10.

She may have been a step slow from the gate but she rushed up and grabbed the lead soon thereafter, throwing down the gauntlet to her five rivals with a :22.50 opening quarter-mile and a half in

:45.53. Put Da Blame on Me would not be shaken, however, and she put the leader under enormous pressure throughout the six-furlong test. Ballet Diva hit every pole one length ahead of her rival, and she held that advantage to the wire, stopping the timer in 1:11.56 under Jose Caraballo.

“It went as we hoped,” said winning trainer Stanley Gold. “We knew [Ballet Diva] was going to show some speed. I wasn’t going to send her but I wasn’t going to take her back. She made it, she got challenged and she was best.”

Ballet Diva paid $4.60.

“She’s been running good, but this wasn’t a graded stake and the company was a little softer,” Gold said. “[Put Da Blame on Me] has good form and I was worried, but I saw ‘Diva’ pin her ears and I said, ‘Ut-oh.’”

Put Da Blame on Me, who drifted wide in the run to the wire, had six lengths on Colombian Queen to secure the place.

Playa Zaragoza was fourth and Ballet Diva’s stablemate Silent Prayer was fifth. Caren, third early, faded to last of six.

Ballet Diva raised her career record to five of 10 with three thirds and earnings of $418,535.

Walmac International had sold Dame Sylvieguilhem to Live Oak Stud for $150,000 as a yearling at the Keeneland July sale in 2000, and Live Oak sold her to Harold Plumley for $28,000 at OBS’ 2007 winter-mixed sale.

Jacks or Better purchased Dame Sylvieguilhem from the Plumley Farm consignment for $16,000 at the winter-mixed sale of 2011.

Although her sales price had plummeted, she is worth more now than ever.

Preceded by Flying Trip, Ballet Diva is the second black-type winner and the eighth foal of the 17-year-old Dame Sylvieguilhem, who had placed in Gulfstream’s Via Borghese Stakes as a 3-year-old in 2002.

Dame Sylvieguilhem – who has an unnamed yearling filly by Brooks n’ Down—who also stands at Ocala Stud—and was bred to Fort Loudon this year – is one of 10 winners dropped by her dam, Tropez, who was one of nine winners dropped by her dam, Willing Maid. ■

KENNY MARTIN PHOTO

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Florida-bred Ballet Diva

Another highly regarded entrant, Toews on Ice, was scratched.

There were five abreast racing down the backstretch, with He’s a Tiger, Iron Rob and Denman’s Call nearest the rail after an opening quarter-mile in :21.91.

Iron Rob, racing between those two, edged in front after a half in :44.55 as He’s a Tiger began to fade along the rail. Denman’s Call

Another Lightning-Fast Floridian Florida-bred Iron Rob, who didn’t break his maiden until his seventh try, became two-for-two in stakes races March 20 when he cruised to a 1½-length victory in the $75,000 San Pedro at Santa Anita.

By winning the six-furlong test, the 3-year-old son of Twirling Candy added his name to a burgeoning list of classy Floridians – such as the older Sahara Sky, Distinctiv Passion and Wild Dude – who have excelled in West Coast sprints recently.

Denman’s Call, a Triple Crown nominee and the 2-5 San Pedro favorite, futilely chased home the winner, holding the place spot by 2¼ lengths over Mt Veeder.

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Florida FOCUS

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BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Florida-bred Iron Rob

Denman’s Call came into the San Pedro off a third-place finish to champion Nyquist and Exaggerator in the San Felipe (G2).

Iron Rob, a $90,000 OBS purchase as a 2year-old last April, was bred in Florida by John Pereira. He is the second named foal and second winner of the 12-year-old broodmare Cold Blooded, a daughter of Tiger Ridge who also dropped an unnamed yearling colt by Pleasant Acres stallion Treasure Beach.

Iron Rob’s fourth dam is Great Lady M., the dam of Horse of the Year, $3 million earner and Hall of Famer Lady’s Secret. ■

Redneck Humor No Laughing Matter in Bill Thomas Sometimes a change in scenery is all a horse needs to turn his career around. That seems to be the case with Florida-bred Redneck Humor Florida-bred Redneck Humor

COADY PHOTO

pressed as far as he could but Iron Rob was best this day, easing away from his rival on the turn, keeping him at bay in the stretch and hitting the wire with plenty in reserve.

Iron Rob hit the line in 1:09.05, giving his rider, Stewart Elliott, his first stakes victory since moving west from Parx. Elliott is best remembered as the rider of near Triple Crown winner Smarty Jones.

The San Pedro victory was a boost to Stewart’s career: He had gone west to Del Mar from the northeast in 2014, tagging along with trainer Mark Casse, but a horse kick fractured his ribs and, with the pain lingering for months afterward, he was forced to take off all of 2015.

The San Pedro afforded him the chance to prove he was back in form: The Daily Racing Form chart caller said Iron Rob “won clear under some urging and energetic handling.”

Stewart’s description was modest, if not quite as vivid: “I had a lot of horse. I had a good hold of him and he was doing it easy.”

In his prior start, Feb. 21, Iron Rob stumbled coming out of the starting gate but still won the 6½-furlong Baffle Stakes, which had been rained off the turf. The victory was tempered by the fact that Iron Rob was vanned off after the race, a precautionary measure after his rider in that race, Santiago Gonzalez, expressed concern for the colt and the track vet said the horse “was just a tick off.”

Iron Rob is owned by Krentz Racing and is trained by George Papaprodomou.

“It was sad to see him vanned off after his last race, but Santiago wanted to be careful when he felt him take a few bad steps,” said his trainer. “He was playing it safe. He was fine, but he got heavy and tired and just took a few bad steps.”

Iron Rob, who paid $21.80 for winning the San Pedro, has an overall record of three wins and two seconds from 10 starts with earnings of $157,320. Without saying anything specific, his trainer indicated that graded stakes will be in his future.

“I thought he would run really well, he ran really great last time, too,” said Papaprodromou.

who left Gulfstream Park and shipped west to New Mexico where he won his first start for new owner Earl Neugebauer at Zia Park on Oct. 26. Yes he went from entry level allowance competition in Florida to go against $12,500 claimers at the Hobbs, N. M. oval, but he handled business as he should have, and won by three lengths to apparently get a much needed degree of confidence.

In his next start on Nov. 8 at Zia, Redneck Humor returned to allowance competition and again won easily, this time leading from gate-to-wire and winning by six lengths. He was then third in his next two starts against stakes company before winning against optional claimers at Sunland Park in New Mexico on Jan. 16.

Trainer Justin Evans returned him to stakes company on Feb. 28, where he finished fifth in the $75,000 Budweiser Stakes behind winner Dirt Monster. But 5-year-old gelding would avenge that loss March 20 in the $100,000 Bill Thomas Memorial Stakes at Sunland over six and one-half furlongs.

Ridden by Martin Garcia, Redneck Humor wasted no time getting to the front from post four. However, he had to battle Forin Sea, who was second in the Budweiser, the entire way as those two went head and head the entire trip.

Blistering fractions of :22.18 for the first quarter-mile, :43.96 for the half and threequarters in 1:08.49 did not affect the two leaders as they hit the wire just a half-length apart with Redneck Humor winning in a time of 1:15.19 over the fast track. Forin Sea was a length and one-quarter ahead of Forest Mouse in third with 3-5 favorite Dirt Monster fourth.

It was the fifth win in 15 starts for the son of Da Stoops out of the Nureyev mare Dame Slyvieguilhem, making him a half-brother to 2015 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old filly Ballet Diva – both products of Fred and Jane Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm breeding operation located in Ocala.

The first-place check of $60,000 pushed his career earnings to $153,746 and he paid $11.60 to win. ■

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Florida-bred Swift Lady

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Florida FOCUS by Mike Mullaney

Swift Lady de Florida gana otra vez La asombrosa Swift Lady, originaria de Florida, ganó su tercera carrera consecutiva el 14 de febrero en Santa Anita, y su segunda consecutiva en la singular pista de césped de 6½ furlong, cuando registró una diferencia de 2¼ cuerpos frente a la irlandesa Nodiac en el clásico Sweet Life de US$ 75,000.

Swift Lady, hija del semental Awesome of Course de Ocala y de la hija de Valid Wager, The Church Lady, fue criada por Ciaran y Amy Dunne y adquirida por Charles Chu por un valor de US$ 170,000 en consignación de Wavertree Stables en la subasta de OBS de junio del año pasado.

Swift Lady, ahora propiedad de Baoma Corp., salió y terminó con superioridad luego de perder en su debut en Del Mar antes de su actuación inaugural en Los Alamitos. Ambos eventos fueron en la pista principal.

Venció a ganadores en su esfuerzo previo a Sweet Life, una carrera opcional de reclamo de US$ 80,000 en la misma pista y distancia el 15 de enero.

Desde la puerta 8 en el campo de nueve potras de Sweet Life, ella y Martin Garcia siguieron el ritmo marcado por 18 a 1 de Uptown Twirl a través de fracciones de 00:21.52 y 00:43.91. La favorita para duplicar apuestas se alejó fácilmente de la competencia en la recta sin más que un poco de aliento por parte de Garcia.

Nodiac le sacó medio cuerpo a Decked Out. 14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

Swift Lady pagó US$ 4.20 después de pasar la meta en 1:13.04. Su récord de 3-1-0 de cuatro salidas le ha redituado US$ 122,420.

El entrenador Bob Baffert, quien expresó confianza en su potra y dijo que sabía que era rápida, expresó cierta sorpresa frente a su disposición a mantenerse atrás. Dijo que planea mantenerla en la pista en el futuro cercano.

The Church Lady, 17, fue cruzada con First Dude el año pasado y con He s Had Enough este año. Su primera cría, un potro de Doneraile Court llamado Codio, ganó una carrera en Canadá y tiene un récord de pista de 7½ furlongs en Turf Paradise. Otra cría de Doneraile Court, la potra Sheyenne Girl, ganó un clásico en Canadá.

La segunda madre de The Church Lady, Newsun, produjo a Charlie You Know y a Rockabye Joshua, ambos ganadores de múltiples carreras clásicas en el viejo Philadelphia Park y en Pimlico y ganadores de más de US$ 300,000. Es la familia de Skytracer, ganador del clásico Blue Grass y del segundo premio de Flamingo. ■

Catholic Cowboy regresa al círculo de los ganadores en Old Hickory Catholic Cowboy, el potro de Mossarosa oriundo de Florida, surgió como el favorito 7 a 5 para ganar los US$ 60,000 del clásico Old Hickory Starter el 15 de febrero para el entrenador Nick Zito. Catholic Cowboy, ganador del Claiming Crown Jewel en Gulfstream en 2014, tuvo luego una carrera con crédito sin visitar propiamente el círculo de ganadores.

Llegó al programa especial del Día de los Presidentes en Gulfstream Park después de llegar forzosamente a un tercer puesto en el Sunshine Millions Classic de US$ 250,000 en Gulfstream el 16 de enero, detrás del ganador, Mexikoma.

El jinete Luis Saez le permitió al potro de 6 años galopar solo delante de Starship Zeus en el campo de seis caballos, mientras Sr. Quisqueyano marcaba fracciones de 00:23.34 durante el primer cuarto y 00:47.40 para la mitad, con Rizwan presionándolo todo el

camino. Tuscan Getaway seguía en tercer puesto y Muntij en cuarto, un cuerpo por delante de Catholic Cowboy.

Hacia la última vuelta, Saez movió a Catholic Cowboy hacia afuera, al igual que Julien Leparoux hizo con Muntij. Sin embargo, Muntij encontró espacio entre los caballos para ganarle distancia al favorito. Aunque Muntij tomó la delantera en la recta, Catholic Cowboy siguió mejorando su posición y finalmente tomó la delantera a la sombra de la meta.

Su tiempo final fue de 1:43.22 para la 11⁄16 milla en una pista rápida.

Catholic Cowboy, hijo de Heatseeker y de Kombat Lake, de Meadowlake, alcanzó la quinta victoria en su trayectoria de 28 carreras. La victoria aumentó su ganancia total a US$ 403,876.

Fue criado por Luis de Hechavarria de Ocala, Florida, y recibió entrenamiento temprano de Francis y Barbara Vanlangendonck en su operación de Summerfield en Morriston, Florida. ■

Buen regreso de You Bought Her La campeona defensora You Bought Her tomó la medida de los líderes iniciales en la vuelta y tuvo una carrera virtualmente fácil a partir del octavo poste, llegando cómodamente a una victoria de 4¼ cuerpos en el clásico Minaret el 20 de febrero en Tampa Bay Downs.

La potra de 6 años criada en Florida, hija de Graeme Hall y de Striking T, de Smart Strike, es propiedad de Richard Perkins y Hinsley Racing Stable y es entrenada por David Hinsley. Fue criada por C.L. Delaplane y R.G. Delaplane Trust UA y Shade Tree Stables. La victoria fue su octava en 38 salidas, y el premio de US$ 30,000 por el primer puesto aumentó sus ganancias a US$ 399,418.

El tiempo de You Bought Her para los seis furlongs fue de 1:10.02, segundo entre las 35 carreras de Minaret después del récord de 1:09.68 de It’s Me Mom en 2011.

Fue la favorita y pagó US$ 4.60.

“Le gusta esta pista y parece responder a Brian. Se agradan mutuamente”, dijo Hinsley.

“Ha estado mejorando todo el tiempo”.

Luego de salir de la puerta 9, el jinete

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LAUREN KING PHOTO

Florida-bred Catholic Cowboy

Her en el clásico Inside Information de Grado 2 de US$ 200,000 en Gulfstream el 19 de marzo. El año pasado obtuvo el segundo puesto en esa carrera. ■

Florida-bred You Bought Her

SV PHOTOGRAPHY

Brian Pedroza realizó su jugada sobre You Bought Her en la curva, y su señal incitó una respuesta rápida.

“Sentí que estaba en el mejor caballo, y estaba muy confiado”, dijo Pedroza. “Iba a un paso cómodo y la conozco tan bien que sabía que tenía caballo suficiente para llegar a la meta.

Solamente le dejé espacio y se lo pedí una vez; una vez que tomó la delantera, la mantuvo”.

No Fault of Mine terminó 2¼ cuerpos por delante de R Sassy Lass, seguida por Legal Laura.

You Bought Her ha mejorado muchísimo

desde que le quitaron una astilla del tobillo después de que le engancharon los talones desde atrás en el clásico Arlington-Washington Lassie de Grado 3 a los 2 años, ocasionándole una caída.

No volvió a ganar hasta marzo de su temporada de 4 años en una carrera de concesión/reclamo opcional en Tampa Bay Downs.

“Mejora con la edad, casi como un buen vino”, dijo, emocionada, Sharon Hinsley.

“Todo lo que le dije a Brian en el corral fue ‘Tú la conoces; diviértete’”, dijo Hinsley. “Tenía suficiente velocidad como para ganar la carrera, y me gustaba la posición de salida porque no podía meterse en problemas desde ahí”.

Puede que Hinsley inscriba a You Bought

Contra las probabilidades, Iron Rob gana en el clásico Baffle Complementado a un costo de US$ 1,500, y contra las probabilidades, Iron Rob validó la inversión con una victoria por medio cuerpo en el clásico Baffle de US$ 75,000 de 6½ furlongs el 21 de febrero en Santa Anita. La carrera Baffle, originalmente programada para la pista en pendiente de igual distancia, se cambió a la pista principal debido a las lluvias que hubo esta semana. El potro de 3 años criado en Florida, montado por Santiago Gonzalez y entrenado por George Papaprodromou, de Twirling Candy y Cold Blooded, de Tiger Ridge, recorrió la distancia en 1:15.50.

Iron Rob, que salió de la segunda posición en un campo reducido a cuatro de segundo año por un par de bajas de último momento, se con-

SER O NOT SER EL CABALLO ANO CRIADO EN FLORIDA,

ESA ES LA PREQUNTA! AHORA, DESGRACIADAMENTE TENGO QUE LLEVAR ESTA PESADA CARGA.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016 15

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Florida FOCUS

Ballet Diva vuelve a tener protagonismo Solo cinco días después de recibir el título de potra juvenil campeona de 2015, Ballet Diva demostró que no tiene ningún apuro por dejar el escenario principal, exhibiendo velocidad y determinación a la vez que registró una victo16 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

Florida-bred Ballet Diva

de seis furlongs. Ballet Diva pasó cada poste un cuerpo por delante de su rival, y mantuvo esa ventaja hasta la meta, deteniendo el cronómetro en 1:11.56 montada por Jose Caraballo.

“Salió como esperábamos”, dijo el victorioso entrenador Stanley Gold. “Sabíamos que [Ballet Diva] iba a demostrar velocidad. No la iba a mandar, pero tampoco la iba a recibir de nuevo. Lo logró, la desafiaron y fue mejor”.

Ballet Diva pagó US$ 4.60.

“Ha estado corriendo bien, pero esta no era una carrera de grado y la compañía era un poco más suave”, dijo Gold. “[Put Da Blame on Me] está en buena forma y yo estaba preocupado, pero vi que ‘Diva’ bajó las orejas y dije: ‘Oh-oh’”.

Put Da Blame on Me, que se alejó hacia el exterior en la carrera hacia la meta, se aseguró el lugar y superó a Colombian Queen por seis cuerpos.

Playa Zaragoza llegó en cuarto lugar y la compañera de establo de Ballet Diva, Silent Prayer, en quinto. Caren, en tercer lugar al principio, terminó última de seis.

Ballet Diva incrementó el récord de su carrera con cinco de diez llegadas en tercer lugar y ganancias de US$ 418,535.

Walmac International había vendido a Dame Sylvieguilhem a Live Oak Stud por US$ 150,000 cuando tenía un año en la venta de julio de Keeneland en el año 2000, y Live Oak la vendió a Harold Plumley por US$ 28,000 en la venta mixta de invierno de OBS en 2007.

Jacks or Better compró a Dame Sylvieguilhem de la consignación de Plumley Farm por US$ 16,000 en la venta mixta de invierno de 2011.

Aunque su precio de venta había caído en picada, ahora vale más que nunca.

Precedida por Flying Trip, Ballet Diva es la segunda ganadora de un clásico y la octava potra de Dame Sylvieguilhem, de 17 años, que consiguió un puesto en el clásico Via Borghese de Gulfstream en 2002 a los 3 años de edad.

Dame Sylvieguilhem, que tiene una potra de un año sin nombre de Brooks n’ Down, (también de Ocala Stud) y fue apareada con Fort Loudon este año, es una de diez ganadores paridos por su madre, Tropez, que fue una de nueve ganadores paridos por su madre, Willing Maid. ■

KENNY MARTIN PHOTO

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

tuvo en el segundo puesto detrás de Tiz a Billy ria de un cuerpo sobre Put Da Blame on Her a lo largo de la curva alejada, lo pasó por un en el clásico Any Limit de US$ 75,000 el 19 de furlong y ganó disminuyendo la velocidad al marzo en Gulfstream Park. acercarse a la meta.

Ballet Diva, de ingenioso nombre e hija del Con apuestas de ausentes, Iron Rob, refre- semental Hear no Evil, de Ocala, y de Dame nado después de la carrera en Club House y sin Sylvieguilhem, la yegua de Nurevey, criada por regresar al Círculo de Ganadores, estaba en 5 a Jacks or Better Farm en Reddick, ganó cuatro de sus seis salidas en 2015 y obtuvo US$ 339,675, 1 y pagó US$ 13.60 y US$ 3.80.

“Está bien”, dijo Papaprdromou. “Se tropezó con calificaciones de clásicos en las divisiones al salir. Santiago lo sostuvo todo el camino. In- Cassidy y Susan’s Girl del clásico Florida Sire antes de cerrar el año cluso lo sostuvo después de con una clasificación en cruzar la meta. Saltó House Party el 28 de porque no quería que sigunoviembre. iera galopando para salir o Tuvo algunos tropeque tuviera que trotar para zones en 2016, comenvolver después”. zando el año con tres Iron Rob, propiedad derrotas, todas en de Kretz Racing, LLC y Florida-bred Iron Rob quien tuvo su debut hace dos salidas con una Gulfstream, terminando tercera detrás de Lucy carrera de 5½ furlongs el 4 de diciembre en Los n Ethel en la carrera Old Hat de Grado 3, luego Alamitos, se llevó su segunda victoria en nueve tercera detrás de la bien considerada Cathryn salidas. Con el primer premio de US$ 47,100, Sophia en la carrera Forward Gal de Grado 2 y, más recientemente, cuarta detrás de Off the aumentó sus ganancias a US$ 110,520.

Tiz a Billy, quién tomó la delantera saliendo Tracks en la carrera Margate el 21 de febrero del canal de siete furlongs, batalló para regre- después de estar a la cabeza en el inicio.

Las vencedoras de esas carreras son un trío sar detrás de Flavien Prat y terminó 8½ cuerpos por delante de He’s a Tiger. Con 3 a 5, Tiz a con clase, y Ballet Diva tuvo que enfrentarse a otra estrella en la carrera Any Limit: Caren, una Billy pagó US$ 2.60 al puesto.

Las fracciones en la carrera fueron 22.07, potra juvenil del año pasado que estaba haciendo su debut en tierra después de competir 45.04 y 1:09.06.

Iron Rob fue criado por John C. Pereira de en Polytrack en Woodbine. Caren era la favorita Reddick, Florida. Es un doble graduado de por poco, con 6 a 5, mientras que Ballet Diva Ocala Breeders’ Sales, aunque primero fue un estaba en 13 a 10.

Puede que su salida haya sido un poco lenta, RNA de US$ 29,000 en consignación de Thoroughstock en la venta de OBS de agosto de pero se apuró y tomó la delantera al poco tiempo, 2014. El año pasado volvió a competir durante desafiando a duelo a sus cinco rivales con una la venta de OBS de abril y se vendió por US$ apertura de cuarto de milla de 0:22.50 y una 90,000 al agente Gayle Van Leer. Fue dado en mitad de 0:45.53. Sin embargo, no se pudo sacar consignación en esa subasta por Hemingway de encima a Put Da Blame on Me, quien puso enorme presión a la líder a lo largo de la prueba Racing y Training Stables. ■

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Ordena tu placa Hoy!

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Big Swing for a

By BROCK SHERIDAN or the second consecutive year, the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company saw seven-figure bids on juveniles at their March Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training, except this year, they had one on each day of the two-day auction.

David Ingordo of Lane’s End Bloodstock (L.E.B.) won a dramatic bidding war with Stonestreet Stables and others late in the second day of the sale when he bid $1.7 million for Hip 591, a son of the late Lane’s End Farm leading sire Smart Strike out of the Unbridled’s Song, stakes-placed mare Glamorista.

Glamorista is also a half-sister to Grade 1 stakes winner Critical Eye and stakes-placed Personable Pete.

Ocala-based Eddie Woods, as agent, was the consignor on the popular star who put in a :9 4/5 breeze for

F

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

Hip 591 topped the OBS March sale at $1.7 million

an eighth-mile at the under-tack show.

“This is one of the best Smart Strikes you will find,” Ingordo said after signing the sales ticket. “He is just a lovely colt who has his whole future ahead of him as a racehorse. I also liked that he stood up to the rigors of the sale really well, which is hard on a horse. He has a great attitude. I went to look at him at the barn and he was just laying there like a puppy. And he is the kind we need in the stallion barn.”

The bay colt was the second juvenile to bring seven figures at the sale as a son of champion and leading firstcrop sire Uncle Mo brought $1.3 million from a bid by Mike Repole’s Repole Stable and M.V. Magnier to top Tuesday’s session.

Uncle Mo raced in Repole’s colors and now stands at Ashford Stud, which is part of Magnier’s international

18 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

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Strike JOE DIORIO PHOTOS

thoroughbred operation Coolmore Stud.

Selling as Hip 245, the dark bay or brown colt is out of the stakes-winning mare Setareh and was consigned

by Cary Frommer, agent, who is based in Aiken, S.C. Setareh is also a half-sister to the multiple stakes-producing mares Misty Rain and Kentucky Whisper. The colt also impressed at the under-tack show as he worked :10 1/5.

“Coolmore and I are partners on Uncle Mo and Stay Thirsty so we talked about [buying Hip 245],” Repole said after the purchase. “They liked the horse and I liked the horse, so we decided to get together and buy it. He looks like Uncle Mo as a 2-year-old. It seems like Uncle Mo is really stamping his horses. And the ones he really stamps are the ones that can really run. I thought he would bring a million-plus.”

Trainer Todd Pletcher, who trained Uncle Mo for Repole, was at Repole’s side during the bidding.

“He breezed phenomenally and looked beautiful on the shank,” Pletcher said of the popular juvenile. “He worked really well and has a terrific disposition and we’re extremely, extremely high on Uncle Mo. The rest of the world is, too.

[Uncle Mo] is doing extremely well [as a sire].

“Every time there is a [Kentucky] Derby prep, there are two, three or four Uncle Mos in there.

He’s just a phenomenal first-crop sire to be doing what he is doing. When they perform like this one on the racetrack and they’re conformed the way this one is – he is just the whole package.”

Agent Bradley Weisbord went to $850,000 for Al Shaqab Racing, WinStar Farm and the China Horse Club for a bay colt by Malibu Stakes (G1) winner Twirling Candy, out of the stakes-producing mare Sage Mist, by Henny Hughes. Consigned by Barry Eisaman’s Williston, Fla.-based Eisaman Equine, agent, Hip 222 is a half-brother to stakes winner Highway Boss and also worked an eighth-mile in :10 1/5.

“It all came together here in the last five minutes between Al Shaqab Racing and WinStar Farm. WinStar is also going to possibly bring in some of their partners,” Weisbord said. “This is the best horse for our team. He

has the pedigree of a two-turn horse and his breeze was special.

Hopefully he’ll turn into a Saturday afternoon horse and maybe a stallion prospect.”

Bloodstock agent Jason Litt went to $825,000 on Hip 558 for Larry, Nanci and Jaime Roth’s LNJ Foxwoods of New York City. Litt singed the ticket in the name of Solis/Litt, a bloodstock partnership he has with Alex Solix II. The dark bay or brown filly is by Twirling Candy, who ranks second behind Uncle Mo as the nation’s leading second-crop sire, and is out of Felicitee, by Menifee.

Felicitee is a half-sister to graded-stakes-placed Mazella and stakes-placed and multiple stakes-producer Veuve.

Nick de Meric’s Meric Sales, agent, of Ocala, was the consignor on the filly who worked a quarter-mile in :20 2/5 at the under-tack show.

“We had to have her,” Litt said. “She did everything right. That’s it.”

Hip 245 topped the first session of the sale at $1.3 million. (inset) Todd Pletcher and Mike Repole

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016 19

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SHERIDAN PHOTO

Dennis O’Neill (right) and Nick de Meric

20 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

on the colt for a partnership of Town and Country Racing LLC and Spendthrift Farm LLC, both based in Kentucky.

“He had a great breeze,” Potter said. “He galloped out very well and looked as if he did it really easy. And we were also looking for a potential stallion prospect.”

By champion and champion sire Bernardini, the dark bay or brown colt is out of the stakes-winning mare Onebadkitty,

by Street Cry. Onebadkitty is also a half-sister to stakes-winner Jaws N’ Paws and stakes-placed Incline Village. He worked a quarter-mile in :21 flat.

Bob Baffert, acting as an agent, also went to $575,000 for Hip 543, a filly by European Horse of the Year Giant’s Causeway out of Empire West, by Empire Maker. Empire West is a half-sister to graded stakes-winners Forest Music and Shooter. Jim Crupi’s Ocalabased Crupi’s New Castle Farm, consigned the filly who breezed in :9 4/5.

Hip 578 dropped the gavel at $550,000 on a bid from Robert McMartin, agent. The dark bay or brown colt also stopped the clock in :9 4/5. He is by Arch, out of the stakes-winning mare Frisk Her, by Officer and sold from the consignment of King’s Equine, agent, of Ocala.

Also bringing $550,000 was the top selling Florida-bred.

Although Hip 606 went late in the second session, he had plenty of attention as Dennis O’Neill had to outbid Stonestreet Stables to get the handsome, chestnut colt. He is by Ocala Stud’s Kantharos, who currently ranks second nationally among third-crop stallions, and is out of Gracious, by Glittering. Gracious is a half-sister to the graded stakesplaced runner Glitman.

“Wow, that was a lot of work,” O’Neill said about bidding on the colt. “But we really, really wanted him. That was probably the fastest work I’ve ever seen going: 9 3/5, :20 1/5 and galloping out in :31. He looked like a great big quarter horse.

He’s big, long, good looking and athletic.”

Large words for O’Neill, who purchased future Kentucky Derby (G1) winner I’ll Have Another at OBS in 2012.

O’Neill said he purchased the Kantharos colt for California client Bill Strauss, Al Gold’s New York-based Golden Square Stable and Sol Kumin. He will be trained by Dennis’s brother Doug O’Neill at their base in Southern California.

De Meric Sales, agent was the consignor.

For the entire sale, 325 horses sold for a total of $51,650,000 compared with 325 bringing a March record $55,432,000 last year. The average price was $158,923 compared with $170,560 a year ago while the median price was $100,000 compared with $105,000 last year. The buyback percentage was 25%; it was 23% in 2015.

The next sale at OBS is the Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, set for April 19-22 with under-tack shows scheduled for April 11-16. ■ DIORIO PHOTO

Jason Litt signed the tickets for Hips 558 and 101

Hip 101 was expected to sell for a nice price after he worked a quarter-mile in :20 3/5, and the dark bay or brown colt by Claiborne’s internationally-acclaimed stallion War Front did not disappoint, bringing $675,000. Out of the champion female sprinter Maryfield, by Elusive Quality, he was from the consignment of Eddie Woods, agent, of Ocala.

Jason Litt signed the ticket, again as Solis/Litt.

“We purchased him for a group of clients,” Litt said. “We’re going to send him to Jim Bolger in Ireland. He breezed beautifully and is out of a champion mare so there were a lot of things to like. Eddie Woods said he has liked him from the start, so we have had an eye on him.

MMG Stables went to $625,000 on Hip 182, a chestnut colt by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, out of the stakes-placed mare Polly Alexander (Ire), by Foxhound. Also seen clocking a :21 flat, she impressed Glenn Brok, who signed the ticket on the purchase as agent for MMG Stables.

“He’ a nice horse,” Brok said. “I’ve looked at a lot of horses at this sale and he was my favorite. He’s very sound, well balanced and has a good pedigree.”

Another lucrative juvenile was Hip 449, a bay colt by City Zip out of the Stroll mare Cap’s Legacy, a half-sister to graded-stakes-placed Chekhov and Bright Feather and stakesplaced In On the Secret. Trainer Randy Morse went to $585,000 for Texas owner Tom Durant. Halcyon Hammock Farm, agent , located in Bronson, Fla., consigned the colt.

“This is one of the best looking City Zip’s I’ve seen,” Morse said. “He had an outstanding breeze and looks like he can go long.” The colt worked an eighth in :9 3/5.

Hip 155 lit up the money board at $575,000 from the consignment of Nick de Meric’s de Meric Sales, agent. Shannon Potter, of Town and Country Racing LLC, signed the ticket

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GP Sprint served as solid Dubai prep for Florida-bred XY Jet

E

xhilarated by XY Jet’s appearance in the paddock for the Feb. 27 Gulfstream Park Sprint (G3) but close to crest-fallen by the breakneck pace his gelding set through the race, trainer Jorge Navarro was fully at peace in the winner’s circle after his Floridabred gelding took the $100,000 event by 1¼ lengths.

“I know what kind of a horse he is,” Navarro said.

The GP Sprint was one of six graded stakes that Gulfstream carded on Fountain of Youth Day. It was a day of highlights: In addition to XY Jet’s victory, two classy 3-year-olds, Mohaymen and Cathryn Sophia, remained undefeated, Mohaymen taking the day’s Grade 2, $400,000 signature race and fan favorite 22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

Cathryn Sophia winning the $200,000 Davona Dale (G2), while Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner Catch a Glimpse scored in her fourth straight and her 2016 debut in the $150,000 Herecomesthebride (G3).

The day’s handle – $24.113 million – was a record for Fountain of Youth Day, almost $3.5 million more than the record set last year.

The 4-year-old XY Jet, a gray son of Ocala Stud stallion Kantharos – Soldiersingsblues, by Lost Soldier, has come into his own this year and he’s riding the crest of a five-race winning streak that, in addition to the GP Sprint, includes the Jan. 16 Sunshine Million Sprint, in which he whipped the defending Floridabred Horse of the Year Wildcat Red, and the Dec. 19 Mr. Prospector (G3).

COGLIANESE PHOTO

By MIKE MULLANEY

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STREAKING

XYJet

And with each race he impresses his trainer more and more. of 43 I said, ‘Oh, my “Coming into the paddock, he God, what’s this horse doing.’ I was wondering if he was wasn’t the same horse as last time going to have enough, but he did. And they say he’s just out,” Navarro said. “He was ready.

—owner Gary Hartunian I was like, ‘Oh my God, they’re in peaking, just starting to get going. trouble.’”

His trainer has always been chiefly concerned with :21.84. Trouble Kid continued to apply pressure from the XY Jet’s ability to clear the gate: The trouble line of his outside until XY Jet posted the first half-mile in :43.92.

The 6½-furlong GP Sprint was the farthest XY Jet had past performances include the words “bobbled” and “stumbled” at the start of previous races under riders been asked to run since stumbling at the break of the seven-furlong Swale (G2) at Gulfstream nearly a year other than his current regular pilot, Emisael Jaramillo. ago. He set the early pace in that event but had nothing But it was his turn in the GP Sprint.

“I don’t know what happens back there, if he’s not pay- left for the finish, finishing sixth of seven.

Navarro appraisal: That was last year, and this is this ing attention to what goes on, but I always tell Jaramillo, ‘Please make sure of a clean break, that they’re holding his year.

“Once I saw the 43 [half-mile fraction], I was like ‘6½ head up so he’s not looking down,’” Navarro said.

“We went through that last year, and he was a night- [furlongs], 43, Whoa! We’re not going three-quarters,’” Navarro said. mare.”

“You know what, he likes a challenge. I knew he was After his misstep out of the gate, Jaramillo gathered his mount and the pair grabbed a narrow lead over going to come right back.”

If he was concerned, Jaramillo didn’t let on. graded-stakes winner Trouble Kid after a quarter in “When he turned for home, he got in a different gear,” he said. “In the lane, it looked like he was waiting on horses, but he has so much class, when I called on him, he just drew away again.”

XY Jet opened three lengths on the field coming off the bend and easily held the rallying Candip safe. Ready for Rye, who had beaten XY Jet in last year’s Swale, was third while making his 2016 debut, 1½ lengths behind the Candip.

XY Jet, off at 1-2, paid $3 after hitting the wire in 1:15.95. He earned $60,760, pushing his career earnings to $365,653. Bred by Didier Plasencia, he was sold at OBS in 2013 for $56,000.

He is owned by Rockingham Ranch and Gelfenstein Farm, which recently sold a majority interest to Rockingham, which is owned by Southern Californian Gary Hartunian.

“I didn’t love the start and I didn’t love the half,” Hartunian said. “When I saw that fraction of 43 I said, ‘Oh, my God, what’s this horse doing.’ Plus he’s stretching out from six to 6½ furlongs. I was wondering if he was going to have enough, but he did. And they say he’s just peaking, just starting to get going.”

As Hartunian owns majority interest, there is speculation that XY Jet may have run his last race in his native state and that he may be based in trainer Peter Mller’s Southern California barn after his return from Dubai. If that turns out to be true, it would give Miller a potent 1,2 sprint punch with XY Jet and fellow Florida-bred Calculator, the state’s juvenile champion of 2014. ■

“When I saw that fraction

”

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Florida-bred XY Jet was looking toward Dubai.

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Champions AWARDS

2015 exploits of Sheer Drama, Jacks or Better earn their teams multiple honors

By MIKE MULLANEY and BROCK SHERIDAN

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motions ran the gamut March 14 before a soldout crowd of 400 at the annual Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association awards gala.

Mark Queen, deputizing for his father, Harold, was wholly satisfied when he accepted the award honoring Sheer Drama as the state-bred Champion Older Filly and Mare, and minutes later when he accepted the award honoring the dual Grade 1 winner’s dam, Riveting Drama, as the state’s Broodmare of the Year.

The younger Queen’s satisfaction turned to total elation when the winner of the final award was revealed, honoring Sheer Drama as the state’s Horse of the Year.

“It’s pretty incredible when you get a horse like this, at this level … Like my father said, someone did their job at the farm and all the way up,” he said.

The elder Queen oversaw much of Sheer Drama’s conditioning at the farm and he turned his mare over to David Fawkes at the racetrack.

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Florida Stallion of the Year (Active) With Distinction

By Burning Roma and out of Riveting Drama, by Notebook, Sheer Drama won the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap at Delaware Park, the Personal Ensign Stakes (G1) at Saratoga and the Royal Delta Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park during her well-traveled campaign in 2015. She won three of eight starts last year, banking $1,234,720, and has $1,438,840 in career earnings to pass Hollywood Wildcat on the list of all-time richest Florida-breds.

Sheer Drama has been returned to training and the younger Queen said she is two works away from her first start of the year.

AWARDS GALA

“We’re hopeful that we get to do this same thing next year,” Fawkes said.

The Queens were big winners on the night, as were those connected to Reddick’s Jacks or Better Farm. Owners Fred and Jane Brei accepted awards for their fillies Ballet Diva and Dogwood Trail, respective champions in the 2- and 3-year-old divisions.

Ballet Diva won Gulfstream Park’s Susan’s Girl division of the Florida Sire Stakes and Cassidy Stakes, and the House Party Stakes at Gulfstream Park West.

By Ocala Stud stallion Hear No Evil out of the Nureyev mare Dame Sylvieguilhem, Ballet Diva is conditioned by Stanley Gold. On the year, she won four of six races and banked $339,675.

Dogwood Trail, a daughter of Brei’s stallion Awesome of Course, out of Ladyinareddress, by Tactical Advantage, won her first black-type race of the year by taking the Grade 3 Azalea Handicap, then the Three Ring Stakes, a division of the Florida Sire Stakes, both at Gulfstream Park. Also conditioned by Gold, she finished the year with three wins and three seconds from nine starts with earnings of $277,585.

Jacks or Better Farm also won awards as the state’s top owner and top breeder, and Gold earned the title of top trainer of Florida-breds, based on money won.

Fred Brei, reserved at the podium while accepting the first three awards, warmed to the task upon receiving the breeder award. Acknowledging the efforts of FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell and the steady leadership of its president, George Russell, he called upon those in attendance to prepare to meet the challenges of the future, most particularly in confronting future efforts that may lead to the legislative breaking, or “decoupling,” of the connection between “racinos” and thoroughbred racing.

“We are in the fight of our life over decoupling,” he said. “Our industry needs all of us, all of us now, all of us in the future.

“As we age-out, we need to teach our children that this is a fabulous sport.”

Also honored for her training abilities was Kathleen O’Connell, who accepted the award as the leading trainer in terms of races won by statebreds. Joined on the stage by LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

Leading Florida Juvenile Sire High Cotton

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2015 FTBOA

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SERITA HULT PHOTO

longtime client Gilbert Campbell, she accepted the award while acknowledging that statebreds were responsible for the preponderance of races she won in 2015.

Earlier in the evening, Charlotte Weber, joined by trainer and FTBOA board member Mark Casse, accepted the award for her Live Oak homebred World Appeal, named the champion turf horse.

“To be a breeder, and still an owner, is what it’s all about,” she told the crowd.

Casse’s father, Norman, a towering figure in Marion County as a breeder and as co-founder of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company, had passed a few days earlier. With great effort, he told the crowd of his family’s arrival in Florida from Indiana almost 50 years before, and the depth of his father’s dedication to the state’s breeding and racing industry.

“My Dad …. always loved this sport,” he said.

World Approval brought yet another Florida-bred championship to his family as the half-brother to 2006 FTBOA champion grass horse Miesque’s Approval (also the 2006 Eclipse Award Turf Champion) and 2005 Florida-bred Champion Older Horse Revved Up. World Approval racked up victories in the Saranac Stakes (G3) at Saratoga, the American Derby (G3) at Arlington International and in the Sophomore Stakes at Tampa Bay on Florida Cup Day.

By Northern Afleet out of Win Approval, by With Approval, World Approval raced in the famous black, red and white silks of Weber’s Live Oak Plantation, located in Ocala. The gray/roan gelding racked up $379,300 in earnings from four wins in eight starts.

Maria M. Haire won the Needles Award, which honors the state’s leading modest-sized breeding operation. Haire was represented by Florida-bred multiple black-type stakes winner and multiple graded-stakes winner Stallwalkin’ Dude.

In making the presentation to Haire, former FTBOA board member Bonnie Heath acknowledged the critical role that modest farms play in the lofty national reputa-

Leading Florida Freshman sire First Dude

(at left) Needles Award winner Maria M. Haire; (below) Florida Broodmare of the Year Riveting Drama

SERITA HULT PHOTO

SALLY MOEHRING PHOTO

tion of Florida’s breeding; gave respect to the owners and all those connected with those farms, then challenged those in attendance to “spread that passion around.”

Starlight Racing’s Uncle Vinny took home the award as the Florida-bred Champion 2-Year-Old Colt or Gelding.

By Uncle Mo out of Arealhotlover, by Untuttable, Uncle Vinny won the Sanford Stakes (G3) and was third in the Hopeful Stakes (G1), both at Saratoga. Bred by Gilbert Campbell and trained by Todd Pletcher, Uncle Vinny won two of five starts last year with earnings of $191,500.

The Florida-bred Champion 3-Year-Old Colt or Gelding for 2015 was El Kabeir, who races for Zayat Stables and was bred by George and Karen Russell’s Rustlewood Farm in Reddick.

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Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-breds by wins Kathleen O'Connell

Gulfstream Park, Flutterby made Bozzo the oldest trainer to win a black-type stakes when she took the Gold Mover Stakes and Added Elegance Stakes in succession at Gulfstream Park. By Congrats out of the First and Only mare Zoobie, Flutterby was considered for the Breeders’ Cup Female Sprint but Bozzo decided not to pay the hefty supplemental fee and kept her home in Florida. She finished the year with three wins from nine starts and bankrolled $212,403.

The well-traveled Strict Compliance took her winning form to six racetracks in 2015 on her way to being named the Florida-bred Champion Female Turf Horse. Bred by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Thompson and Linda Thompson of Morriston, Strict Compliance won the Boiling Springs Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park and the Penn Oaks Stakes at Penn National while earning $287,600 for Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence. Trained by Chad Brown, the daughter of Into Mischief and Diva Dyna, by Grand Slam, won four of six starts during the year.

Taking home the award as the FTBOA Stallion of Year for the second straight year was With Distinction, who stands at Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds in Ocala. The son of Storm Cat and Extravagant Woman, by Alydar, had

Other Award Winners

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ohn Evans, was presented an Award of Merit from the Thoroughbred Charities of America, and high point competitors from the Run for the Ribbons All Thoroughbred Horse Show Series were also honored at the gala.

Evans is the farm manager for the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation farm at the Lowell Correctional Institute near Ocala. The farm celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2015 and more than 200 women have gone through the successful program, which boasts an almost unheard John Evans and Caroline Davis of non-recidivism rate of nearly 100%,

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meaning nearly every graduate of the program does not return to prison. Evans not only supervises the care for the thoroughbreds, which at times number as many as 50 during a given period, he also serves as an educator in the program.

The Run for the Ribbons All Thoroughbred Horse Show Series recognized their high-point horse in Best Chum, owned by Rebecca Nelsen, and High Point Rider Carly Kowalchuck. Both awards are sponsored by the FTBOA. n NEVAREZ PHOTO

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Joe O'Farrell Memorial Award Consignor: Perrone Sales (James & Karen Perrone) Horse: Wild Dude

The gray or roan colt spent the spring running toward the Kentucky Derby (G1) by winning two Grade 3 stakes at Aqueduct in the Gotham Stakes and the Jerome Stakes before finishing third in the Wood Memorial (G1), also at the Big A. He was a late scratch from the Kentucky Derby but rebounded in the fall to win the City of Laurel Stakes at Laurel Park. On the year, the son of Scat Daddy out of Great Venue, by Unbridled’s Song won three of seven starts with earnings of $584,000 for trainer John Terranova II. Wild Dude was named the Florida-bred Champion Older Male and Champion Sprinter based on his three graded-stakes wins, four graded-stakes placings and $634,667 in earnings in 2015.

Co-owned by trainer Jerry Hollendorfer in partnership with Green Smith, Wild Dude won the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) at Del Mar and the Santa Anita Sprint Championship (G1) and San Carlos Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita. By the late Wildcat Heir out of Courtly Choice, by Doneraile Court, the 5-year-old Wild Dude was bred by Versatile Thoroughbreds LLC. Florida-bred Champion Female Sprinter Flutterby and her 95-year-old owner-breeder Jerry Bozzo of Pembrook Pines provided racing fans with one of the better stories of the year.

After winning an overnight stake and finishing second to Merry Meadow in the Princess Rooney Stakes (G2) at

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AWARDS GALA

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2015 FTBOA

Carly Kowalchuck

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(in pink shirt) Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-breds by earnings/black-type stakes wins Stanley Gold (immediate left) Florida Breeder of the Year & Leading Florida Owner by Florida-bred earnings Jacks or Better Farm (Jane & Fred Brei)

2015 Florida-bred Champions UNCLE VINNY/Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Breeder: Gilbert G. Campbell Owner: Starlight Racing Trainer: Todd A. Pletcher

BALLET DIVA/Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Breeder/Owner: Jacks Or Better Farm Trainer: Stanley Gold EL KABEIR/Champion 3-Year-Old Colt Breeder: Rustlewood Farm Owner: Zayat Stables Trainer: John P. Terranova II DOGWOOD TRAIL/Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Breeder/Owner: Jacks Or Better Farm Trainer: Stanley Gold

WILD DUDE/Champion Old Male & Male Sprinter Breeder: Versatile Thoroughbreds LLC Owners: Jerry Hollendorfer & Green Smith Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer SHEER DRAMA/Champion Older Female Breeder/Owner: Harold Queen Trainer: David Fawkes

FLUTTERBY/Champion Female Sprinter Breeder/Owner: The Jerome G. Bozzo Trust Trainer: Jerry Bozzo

Bruce Campbell Award winners J.B. & Kevin McKathan

JOE DIORIO PHOTO

WORLD APPROVAL/Champion Turf Horse Breeder: Live Oak Stud Owner: Live Oak Plantation Trainer: Mark Casse STRICT COMPLIANCE/Champion Female Turf Horse

PHOTOS CREDITS FROM TOP: COGLIANESE, KENNY MARTIN, COGLIANESE, KENNY MARTIN, BENOIT & ASSOCIATESO, HOOF PRINTS, LESLIE MARTIN, ADAM MOOSHIAN, EQUI PHOTO

LESLIE MARTIN PHOTO

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2015 progeny earnings of $3,118,658 from 92 winners and two black-type winners, including graded-stakes winner Distinctiv Passion, a Florida-bred who was his sire’s leading earner on the year with $146,220. With Distinction was also the 2013 leading juvenile sire in Florida.

The 2015 leading juvenile sire was High Cotton, who stands at Ocala Stud. The son of Dixie Union out of Happy Tune, by A.P. Indy, had juvenile progeny earnings of $1,015,923 from 23 winners, one black-type stakes winner and two stakes-placed runners in 2015. His leading juvenile runner last year was Florida-bred stakes winner Dream of Me, who tallied $168,440. High Cotton was also Florida’s leading Freshman sire of 2011.

The state’s leading Freshman sire of 2015 was First Dude, who also ranked fifth nationally as a Freshman sire with progeny earnings of $997,148. The Double Diamond Farm son of Stephen Got Even-Run Sarah Run, by Smart Strike, was represented by 16 juvenile winners, including one black-type stakes winner and one stakes-placed runner. First Dude’s leading earner was the stakes-winning Florida-bred Flora Dora, who collected $355,332 in 2015.

James and Karen Perrone were named the 2015 Joe O’Farrell Memorial Award winner by the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company as the original consignor of Wild Dude, the year’s best Floridabred offered at public auction in Florida.

J.B. and Kevin McKathan, who gave early instruction to Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, were presented the Bruce Campbell Award by The Florida Horse magazine. The award has been presented over the years to individuals or groups which have brought honor and prestige to the Florida thoroughbred industry. n

Breeder: Mr. & Mrs. Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson Owners: Klaravich Stables & William H. Lawrence Trainer: Chad Brown

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1) Jennifer Warden, part of the Sheer Drama Horse of the Year team with her husband Frank, bids on a basket designed by Virginia Gamble of Oak Springs Farm for the charity. 2) Karen Russell of Rustlewood Farm joins in with bid spotter Tommy Glenn to ensure her bid is in during the lively Gala auction for charity. 3) FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell greets HealthSouth CEO and fellow horse lover Ellen Witterstaeter. 4) A part of the rich Floridabred history, Gordon Potter is joined here by Karen Keen, friends and family. 5) Brandon and Alexandra Rice enjoy an evening off the farm. 6) Adena Golf & Country Club's John Reger and his wife Karin enjoy the sunset.

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7) A strong industry supporter, Chamber & Economic Partnership's CEO Kevin Sheilley and his wife Lisa enjoy the event 8) Breeder of champion 3-year-old El Kabeir, George Russell is joined by The McKathan family accepting for the owners, the Zayats, and Fred Moehring accepting for trainer John Terranova. The McKathans also won the Bruce Campbell award for the training history maker American Pharoah.

9) All smiles, Ramona White enjoys flowers from the evening.

10) Ginny Moens shares a lighthearted moment with Mark Casse. 11) Becky Faircloth congratulates Mark Queen for Sheer Drama winning Florida Horse of the Year. 12) Guests socialize during the silent auction and cocktail hour for the Florida Thoroughbred Charities. 13) History of the industry was a strong element of the event. 14) James Hamilton, David Cason, Gus Gray (groomed greats like Tri-Jet and Susan’s Girl), Charlie Davis (Secretariat’s exercise rider), Willy Jones (groomed Precisionist) and Tom Robinson celebrate the tribute to history.

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1) Uncle Vinny’s winning team of breeders Gil and Marilyn Campbell, trainer Todd Pletcher’s parents JJ and Joan Pletcher and Starlight Racing’s Jack and Laurie Wolf, Donnie and Barbara Lucarelli with presenter FTBOA president George Russell. 2) Scholarship winner Jade Robinson with her best friend host guests at the Gala. 3) Kim Cookson of Ocala Breeders Sales Company looking perfectly put together for the Gala evening. 4) OBS's Jay Friedman presents the Joe O'Farrell award to Jim and Karen Perrone for their achievement as consignors. 5) Sheriff Chris Blair joins the champion Flutterby's table with family and friends.

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6) Bonnie and Kim Heath, whose family campaigned the first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby, Needles, presents the Needles Small Breeder of the Year award to Maria Haire with 14 her mother Mary Haire and Catherine Jager. 7) Jim and Deb Scott, Martha Borchetta, Heath Scott and Mike Borchetta enjoy the evening. 8) Starr and William Humphries looking classy for the occasion. 9) Melissa Anthony of Double Diamond is greeted by FTBOA's Patrick Vinzant who has assisted her with the 2015 leading Florida juvenile sire First Dude's ad campaign for several years. 10) Journeyman Stud's Mike Griffin and his 15 wife Francis join other History Tribute guests enjoying an old Hooper Farm photo. 11) The debonaire men of Live Oak Stud. 12) Looking radiant, Gayle Frasier accepts the Stallion of the Year award for Hartley DeRenzo's With Distinction for a second year. 13) Marion County Commissioner Stan McClain socializes at the Gala with mayor of the Horse Capital of the World Kent Guinn.

14) Michelle Stone with her husband State Representative Charlie Stone. 15) Susan Derby and Gerry Folgner attend their first Gala as new members from California. 16) Roger and Deidre Brand make the evening a family event as they celebrate First Dude's achievement.

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On the 60th anniversary of his 1956 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes victories, Needles remains one of the most influential Florida-breds of all time.

By JOANN GUIDRY

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f Needles had done nothing more than become the first Florida-bred national champion in 1955, he would’ve secured his place in the Florida thoroughbred industry. But that he went on to accomplish so much more elevated him to hero status.

By the time he was retired to stud in 1958, he had a long list of firsts achieved by a Florida-bred. Among those included: first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes, to lead the nation by earnings, to be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and to become the first champion retired to stud in Ocala.

Needles’ accomplishments on a national level brought attention to the still fledgling Florida thoroughbred industry. He is credited with selling more real estate in Marion County than any other realtor of the era. In early 1956 prior to Needles’ Kentucky Derby/Belmont Stakes wins, there were four thoroughbred farms in the Ocala/Marion County area. By 1958, there were 30.

The connection is undeniable and can be directly attributed to Needles’ victory in the 1956 Run for the Roses.

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CHASING GLORY

After garnering championship honors as the best juvenile of 1955, Needles wasn’t without credentials going into his sophomore season. Carrying the orange and blue silks of Jack Dudley and Bonnie Heath’s D&H Stable, Needles opened the 1956 season with eye-catching victories in his home state. Trained by Hugh Fontaine and ridden by Dave Erb, Needles showed he was the colt to be reckoned with come the first Saturday in May.

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In the $100,000 Flamingo Stakes at Hialeah Park on February 25, Needles displayed what would become his signature running style. He broke 14th in the 15horse field, galloped along as though he were taking a Sunday stroll through the park, then shifted gears at the top of the stretch to win by two and three-quarter lengths. Coming in second was Gold Ace with Fabius third. Needles’ winning time for the nine furlongs was 1:49 2/5. With the victory, Needles became the first Florida-bred to win a $100,000 stakes race and a major Kentucky Derby prep race.

A month later in the Florida Derby on March 24 at Gulfstream Park, Needles continued with his winning ways. Breaking last, Needles again methodically worked his way through the field to post a victory by three-quarters of a

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Needles

Unlikely Hero

Needles makes his way to the winners’ circle after the 1956 Kentucky Derby

length. Count Chic was the runner-up with Pinter Lea in third. Needles’ running style was deceptive, leading his rivals to think he was a plodder. But his track recordbreaking time of 1:483⁄5 for the nine furlongs in the Florida Derby defied that foolish notion.

Needles would go into the 82nd running of the Kentucky Derby on May 5 off those two key prep victories.

He was made the favorite of the 17-horse field by the record crowd of more than 100,000 in attendance. Breaking from the number one position, Needles did not hustle out of the gates to take the lead, avoiding being shut out by the large field. Instead, he settled back into 16th place and let Fabius, Ben A. Jones and Terrang battle it out on the lead. Fabius had the lead going into the long Churchill Downs stretch, but Needles was eating up ground the fastest. He powered past Fabius to win by three-quarters of a length in 2:032⁄5 for the mile and a quarter. What was most impressive was that Needles made up more than 20 lengths from the half-mile pole to the finish line.

The shorter Preakness Stakes at a mile and three-sixteenths two weeks later would prove costly to Needles.

He ran that race like he ran all of his races, coming from last place and doggedly making up ground in the home

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stretch. But this time he ran out of track and Fabius finally bested him by a length and three-quarters in 1:582⁄5.

Given a three-week refresher between the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, Needles came into the last leg of the Triple Crown series as the favorite. There was no doubt that the mile and a half Belmont Stakes was perfectly suited to Needles’ running style. And Needles ran true to form.

It was estimated that he was some 25 lengths back in last place in the eight-horse field. Fabius was winging it on the front end, taking a seven-length lead into the stretch. But it was all for naught as Needles launched his characteristic drive with Career Boy going with him.

A tiring Fabius carried Needles out slightly in deep stretch, but he drove on to prevail by a neck over Career Boy. The time was 2:29 4/5, but again what was remarkable was that Needles had made up more than 26 lengths from the half mile pole to home in the win.

Needles’ victories in the Flamingo Stakes, Florida Derby, Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes earned him his second championship title. Named the 1956 champion 3-year-old colt, Needles finished the season as the leading money earner in the country with a total of $440,850.

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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS

The saga of Florida’s unlikely hero began as a threemare package deal for $10,000. William E. Leach, who owned Dickey Stables in Ocala, had bought the mares Noodle Soup, Sis Brier and Carol Lee in partnership with Kentuckian Paul Little. When Leach insisted that the mares foal in Florida, Little sold him his shares in the mares. Noodle Soup,

by Jack High, had only won one race and earned $1,975. When Leach bought her, she had a Bull Brier filly at her side and she had been bred to 1949 Kentucky Derby winner Ponder. The latter was by 1944 Kentucky Derby winner Pensive, whose sire was 1933 Epsom Derby winner Hyperion and grandsire was 1918 Epsom Derby winner Gainsborough.

No one could have guessed that when Noodle Soup foaled a bay colt at Dickey Stables on April 29, 1953, he would go on to become the fifth Derby winner in his male line. Especially since the colt at five weeks old be-

came deathly ill with equine pneumonia. For weeks, Leach’s wife Madeline, who was a nurse, farm veterinarian Dr. Reuben Brawner and horseman Roy Yates tended to the sick colt. He was given so many injections during that time that the suggestion was made to name him Needles.

The newly christened Needles survived and thrived, going on to win the blue ribbon as a 2-year-old at the annual Florida Breeders’ Baby Show. Later after watching him work three furlongs at that show, Oklahoma oilmen Jack Dudley and Bonnie Heath paid $20,000 for the colt. And the rest of the story became Florida thoroughbred history.

As a 2-year-old, Needles won the Sapling Stakes and Hopeful Stakes. He also finished third in the World’s Playground Stakes and Garden State Stakes to bank $129,805 on the season. He was named the champion 2year-old colt, becoming the first Florida-bred national champion.

Following his championship sophomore season in 1956, Needles started only three times as a 4-year-old.

He closed out his career as a winner, capturing the Ft. Lauderdale Handicap at Gulfstream Park. Needles retired with 11 wins, three seconds and three thirds in 21 starts with career earnings of $600,355.

Turning down offers to stand him in Kentucky, Dudley and Heath retired their champion to Bonnie Heath Farm in 1958. Needles went on to sire 20 crops, averaging but 15 foals a year. From 317 foals, 294 were starters, 233 were winners and 21 were stakes winners.

In 1964, Needles was a leading juvenile sire with 12 winners of 19 races. His best stakes winner was Irish Rebellion, who won the Pan American Handicap and was stakes-placed 15 times.

Pensioned in 1978, Needles lived out his years at Bonnie Heath Farm until his death on October 15, 1984. A monument marks where he was buried at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Complex. Indeed, a fitting tribute to Florida’s unlikely hero. ■

NEEDLES

Needles solidified his place in thoroughbred history as one of only a few horses to grace the cover of Sport Illustrated

1953 bay colt by Ponder – Noodle Soup, by Jack High

Breeder: William E. Leach (Dickey Stable) Owner: D & H Stable (Jackson C. Dudley & Bonnie M. Heath) Trainer: Hugh L. Fontaine Career Earnings: $600,355 Major Races Won: Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Florida Derby, Flamingo Stakes, Sapling Stakes, Hopeful Stakes, Fort Lauderdale Handicap Career Highlights: 1955 North American Champion 2-Year-Old Colt 1956 North American Champion 3-Year-Old Colt THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016 39

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Norman

JOE DIORIO PHOTO

OBITUARY

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E. Casse

By MIKE MULLANEY lorida’s racing and breeding industry lost a prime mover and passionate voice March 6 with the passing of Norman E. Casse.

A driving force to the international success of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co., an eloquent spokesman for the industry’s importance to the state, and a superb horseman with a national reputation, he was 79.

A native Indianan, he was smitten with thoroughbred racing as a youth after attending the races with his father, which is exactly how he introduced the sport to his own sons: Mark, a multiple Sovereign Award-winning and twotime Breeders’ Cup winning trainer; John, a horse owner involved with equine insurance, and Justin, a bloodstock agent who operates Casse Sales.

The Casse family moved to Ocala 50 years ago and the patriarch immediately knew he had found a home, quickly establishing his Cardinal Hill Farm while opening Nationwide Horse Van Company, a transportation business.

Horse Country USA was a ripe for new ideas and Norm Casse had more than a few. It was a perfect fit.

“He loved Ocala … he was very proud of it,” Mark said, adding that his father’s failing health had kept him away from the sales, the barns and the racetracks in recent years.

In 1974, the elder Casse and nine partners founded OBS, and he served as its chairman until his retirement in 2006. The auction house’s growth, especially its sales program for 2-year-olds, and an offshoot feed and supply business, were sources of great pride for him.“OBS would not be what it is if it wasn’t for my father and a few others,” Mark said. “They had a vision of what the 2-year-old sales could be, and they were obviously correct in that vision.”

Tom Ventura, who has been with OBS since 1994 and who serves as its president, said “he was instrumental from the outset in the success of OBS.” One of its original 10 shareholders, Ventura noted, “His allegiance was certainly very deep. He would go all over, bringing OBS catalogues with him everywhere to promote OBS as a great place to buy a top-class racehorse.”

Mike O’Farrell, who succeeded Casse as OBS chairman 10 years ago, said he was “a true pioneer of the sport” who “left a rich legacy. He was as proud of the growth of OBS as he was for the success of his children. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was always there for someone in

F

need, regardless of their social status. He will be missed.”

Charlotte Weber, owner of Live Oak Stud, said, “He was always a presence, from the time I moved to Ocala in ’67 or ’68. He was always very diligent, always trying to look out for the best of the industry. Very astute, a very good businessman, I would say more through ‘feel’ than any sort of formal business plan or business model. Very determined, and that determination stood him very well.

He was respected by many, many people … a guy who meant the best for everybody.”

Ventura said that Casse “wanted to make things better for everybody, for both sides, the sellers and the buyers,” and that his passion for innovation was both conceptual and practical. He credited Casse with standardizing the black-type and pedigree information found in sales catalogues and for his willingness “to get his hands dirty.

“He loved being involved in projects, being involved in planning. When we were making plans for the intertrackwagering facility, he would literally come in with models that he made, 3-D models with moving parts and everything. He built them himself … he would go to these little craft stores, put these models together and bring them in.”

As a dealer of horses, his successes included the sale of Gilded Time, the Eclipse champion juvenile of 1992; Lost Code, the multiple Derby-winning earner of more than $3 million, and Beldale Ball, the first of four American-bred winners of Australia’s world famous Melbourne Cup. His work at OBS will long be remembered, but his chief legacy as far as his racing interests are concerned will be the successes of his sons and his namesake grandson, Mark’s son, Norman W. Casse.

In a 2008 interview with Blood-Horse, he was quoted as saying, “Seeing my three sons in the business and succeeding is more than I ever could have asked for. I just hope they continue on with what they are doing. Whether they know it or not, I am their biggest booster.”

Mark repeated a question put to him: “What kind of guy was my father? He was the kind of guy who would do anything he could to help you, even if you weren’t that nice to him, even if you didn’t do what you could to help him.

“What kind of guy was my father? He was a wonderful guy.”

In addition to his sons, Norman Casse is survived by wife, Galina, and nine other grandchildren. n

“

He was always a presence, from the time I moved to Ocala in ’67 or ’68. He was always very diligent, always trying to look out for the best of the industry. Very astute, a very good businessman, I would say more through ‘feel’ than any sort of formal business plan or business model. Very determined, and that determination stood him very well. He was respected by many, many people … a guy who meant the best for everybody.

”

—Charlotte Weber, owner of Live Oak Stud

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Tampa records fall on turf, dirt and at the windows

By BROCK SHERIDAN Oldsmar, Fla.— any records fell by the wayside at Tampa Bay Downs March 12, but the most noteworthy was set

by Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) winner Destin, who punched his ticket to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) in a track record performance.

After Breeder’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Tepin set a course record by winning the Grade 2 Hillsborough Stakes by running the 1 1/8 mile turf course in 1:46.26 and before fans set a single day wagering record for the track by putting down $12,250,446, Destin eclipsed the previous main track record set

by Bold Start in 2010 by .01 of a second by running the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.82.

Owned by Steve Davison’s Twin Creek Racing Stables LLC of Versailles, Ky., Destin and Eclipse Award winning jockey Javier Castellano overcame a bit of trouble at the start when they bumped with 2-1 favorite Brody’s Cause as the two broke from the two

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It was the second consecutive win for Destin, who beoutside stalls. Meanwhile, Destin’s Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate Outwork was able to get clear from post three came the first horse since Burning Roma in 2001 to win and lead the field of nine around the clubhouse turn. Riker, the track’s two premier races for 3-year-olds by taking the a winner of three stakes in Canada last year, settled into Sam F. Davis (G3) on Feb. 13 and the Tampa Bay Derby.

“I was very pleased with [Destin’s] performance,” second with Destin just to their outside in third. Floridabred Awesome Banner, who was forced wide in the first Pletcher said by telephone from Gulfstream. “He seems turn, made the run down the backstretch in fourth followed to be getting more and more professional and is learning

by Economic Model, Star Hill, Rafting, Tale of S’avall and how to finish his races. I felt he would improve with more experience and that is proving to Brody’s Cause after the first quartermile in a leisurely :24.04.

He’s making big jumps be true. After his first two races [a maiden win at Belmont in OctoAfter a half-mile in :47.88, Outand we’re very happy. ber and a runner-up performance work continued to lead while racing along the rail but Destin began to Obviously, this race gives you again allowance optional claimers move up on the outside and Riker the option of another [Ken- at Gulfstream in December], he was still piecing things together. also made a bid from between horses tucky Derby prep] because of But he got better with experience. and those three went into the far turn “We will assess him, but he as a team. Midway on the turn, Out- timing.

—Randy Gullat on Destin probably will not come back in the work momentarily shook loose from [April 2] Florida Derby, which leaves the [April 9] Wood Riker but Destin remained a threat from the outside.

Those two made the run into the stretch together and Memorial, [April 9] Blue Grass or Arkansas Derby [April while they battled towards the finish, it became apparent 16] as possibilities,” Pletcher said of his Grade 1 options that Destin was moving best, getting to the wire a length to further prepare for the Kentucky Derby.

This was the third Tampa Bay Derby victory in four in front of Outwork in second with Star Hill another years for Pletcher and his fourth overall. He won with Carpe seven lengths further back in third.

Rafter got up for fourth followed by Tale of S’avall, Diem last year, Verrazano in 2013 and Limehouse in 2004.

Randy Gullatt, team manager for Twin Creeks RacRiker, Brody’s Cause, Awesome Banner and Economic ing, was also very happy with the performance.

Model.

“

”

Tepin takes the Hillsborough by a length

44 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

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“[Destin] has come a long way [since the Sam F. Davis] and I think he is ahead of even where we thought he would be,” Gullatt said. “He’s making big jumps and we’re very happy. Obviously, this race gives you the option of another [Kentucky Derby prep] because of timing.”

It was the first win in the Tampa Bay Derby for Castellano, who said the experience could not have been any more comfortable.

“It was a beautiful trip,” Castellano said. “He broke sharp out of the gate and put me in good position behind the top two horses. I thought we would be a little more speed, but the way we set out was beautiful. I asked him turning for home and he responded well. He finished good and the way he galloped out was phenomenal, especially after the [track record] time.”

Destin is a son of Giant’s Causeway out of Dream of Summer, by Siberian Summer. With his third win from five starts, Destin earned $120,000 for Twin Creeks and pushed his career bankroll to $390,700 – just $9,300 shy of his $400,000 purchase price at the 2015 Keeneland September sale.

Pletcher also wanted to make note of the performance by Mike Repole’s runner-up Outwork, who races in the colors of Repole Racing Stables of Whitestone, N.Y. “For Outwork to put forth that type of performance in only his third start is quite impressive,” Pletcher said.

“We were hoping he would move forward and he certainly ran well enough to put himself in the next round

of preps, where hopefully he will move forward again.

Prior to the Tampa Bay Derby, Outwork was undefeated in two starts having won a maiden special weight at Keeneland in April and again against optional claimers at Tampa Bay on Feb. 13.

Baciami Piccola scores an upset in the Florida Oaks

THRILLING HILLSBOROUGH TAKEN BY TEPIN

Racing fans were expecting to be thrilled by Tepin, who won the Grade 3 Lambholm South Endeavour Stakes at Tampa on Feb. 13 for her third consecutive stakes win, but it was jockey John Velazquez and Isabella Sings who provided the early excitement in the Hillsborough.

Breaking from the inside post one, Isabella Sings roared out of the gate and sprinted past the grandstand for the first time on her way to a first quarter in :23.49 and a nine-length lead over 90-1 longshot Lovely Loyree in second with Tepin third as they made their way around the first turn. However, Isabella Sings and jockey John Velazquez were not finished with their drama as they quickly extended their lead to 18 lengths over Lovely Isabella and Tepin as they made their way down the backside of the Tampa Bay turf.

They kept the break-neck pace going through a halfmile in :45.95 and around the far turn but just as it appeared as if they would steal the victory, Tepin and jockey Julien Leparoux began to edge closer. Turning for home, Isabella Sings tried valiantly to stay strong but by then Tepin was in full gear and the race to the wire was on. Isabella Sings could not hold off Tepin as she

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raced by her foe inside the final furlong to run under the wire a length in front of the now tiring speedster in second. Lovely Loyree ran evenly to hold on to third with 55-1 shot Bureau de Change fourth.

Tepin is trained by FTBOA board member Mark Casse for Robert E. Masterson and it was her ninth win from 17 starts. By Bernstein out of the Stravinsky mare Life Happened, Tepin earned $120,000 to push her lifetime earnings to $2,685,973.

THE FLORIDA OAKS

Adirondack King holds on for a half-length victory in the Challenger

Making her first start since finishing second in the Beachcomber Hotels Prix des Reves d’Or at Vichy Racecourse in France last July, 14-1 Baciami Piccola (GB) moved to the far outside in the stretch after lacking racing room in the final turn, and scored an upset victory in the $200,000 Florida Oaks (G3) over Enjoy Yourself (GB) in second and Florida-bred Family Meeting in third.

It was only the second career victory for John and Jerry Amerman’s Amerman Racing-owned filly, who had previously won only against maiden special weight runners in Milan, Italy in May. Bryan Lynch trained the bay filly while Julien Lep-

46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

aroux was aboard for the win that was worth $90,000 to the winner. Baciami Piccola now has two wins from four starts with $115,002.

Baciami Piccola is by the French sire Equiano out of Lucky Legs (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire).

ADIRONDACK KING IS ROYAL IN CHALLENGER WIN

Adirondack King has done nothing but train up a storm in south Florida this winter, and after failing to find a suitable race for the 7-year-old gelding at Gulfstream, Servis chose the $100,000 Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay for his comeback effort.

The son of Lawyer Ron out of Jostle, by Brocco, rewarded his connections’ patience, taking the lead on the far turn under jockey Javier Castellano and holding on through the stretch for a half-length victory from Neck ’n Neck.

Adirondack King completed the mile-and-a-sixteenth in 1:44.15.

Now 7-for-37 lifetime, the winner had raced once as a 3-year-old at Tampa Bay Downs, finishing third in the Pasco Stakes. First-place money of $60,000 raised Adirondack King’s career earnings to $501,574. ■

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FTBOA NEWS

FTBOA Names Lajqi as New Asst. VP of Operations & Administration Bids Farewell to Longtime Team Member Vinzant time with his family. His contributions to the FTBOA and Ocala, Fla.— lorida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Equine Communications have been significant. In my five years here, he took on every new assignCEO & executive vice president Lonny ment and responsibility I gave to him and unPowell has announced the hiring of Florida dertook each with class and compassion. He racing executive Diane Lajqi to serve as assistant served me and this Association with distincvice president—operations and administration. tion. We wish him well and will miss him at Lajqi replaces staffer Patrick Vinzant who the same time. will be leaving Ocala to return to his native Al“Replacing someone with the various talents abama to be near family after 16 distinguished of Patrick can be a daunting task,” Powell conyears with the Association. During his long tinued. “So we were most fortunate to find FTBOA tenure, he served in a number of caDiane Lajqi someone of Diane’s background and skill-sets pacities, as assistant vice president—business and operations the past several years. Vinzant also served as to fill his big shoes. We are very confident she will do so in fine FTBOA’s Florida Equine Communications as the manager of fashion. We are very excited to welcome Diane as part of this great, hard-working team of dedicated employees in our buildbusiness and development and as a staff writer.

Lajqi, a 28-year veteran of the Florida pari-mutuel industry, ing. I anticipate her contributions to be many and often.”

In response, Vinzant reflected on his tenure with the Asexpressed her excitement for joining the FTBOA and taking on sociation as well as the growth and confidence he experienced her new position.

“I am delighted to be working with the team at the in recent years under Powell’s leadership.

“The FTBOA is one of the top breed associations in the inFTBOA,” Lajqi said. “I look forward to the challenges and the opportunities. I am fortunate to have some time with Patrick dustry and it has been a great team effort over the last 16 before he leaves and am sure I will learn a lot. The FTBOA years. It is time for me to move on, but with the leadership of has an excellent team and I look forward to being a part of it.” Lonny Powell the association will continue at the top of all Lajqi’s career has seen her work in track management, par- associations.”

Lajqi will report directly to Powell while serving on the senior ticularly in the areas of wagering and personnel management at Calder Race Course and Hialeah Park and Penn Gaming’s FTBOA management team where she will work closely with CFO Caroline Davis, associate vice president-memSanford-Orlando Kennel Club, where her duties ber services and events Tammy Gantt and FEC included staff supervision, operations, contracts editor-in-chief Brock Sheridan. She will concurand wagering analysis. She also has consulted rently serve as director of business and developfor the Latin America Racing Channel. ment for Florida Equine Communications.

Powell reflected on Vinzant’s long service Her duties will include: contract negotiawhile looking forward with great anticipation tions, facility management and operations, to bringing Lajqi on the team. business development, regulatory compliance, “Patrick was a model FTBOA employee and special projects and analysis. She will work treasured member of our team. He also is a closely with racing and wagering departments friend. Though we are very sad to see him at the Florida thoroughbred tracks as well as leave, we are thrilled that he can return to and serve as chief staff liaison for FTBOA’s Racenjoy his beloved, native-home of Alabama ing and Strategic Research committees. ■ while being able to spend cherished, quality Patrick Vinzant COPELAND PHOTO

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016 47

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Increased Purses

and Opportunities in 2016 2016 TWO-YEAR-OLD FILLY DIVISION August 6 - Desert Vixen Stakes - 6 furlongs-Dirt - $200,000 September 3 - Susan's Girl Stakes - 7 furlongs-Dirt - $300,000 October 1 - My Dear Girl Stakes - 11/16 miles-Dirt - $500,000

2016 TWO-YEAR-OLD COLT DIVISION August 6 - Dr. Fager Stakes - 6 furlongs-Dirt - $200,000 September 3 - Affirmed Stakes - 7 furlongs-Dirt - $300,000 October 1 - In Reality Stakes - 1 1/16 miles-Dirt - $500,000

2016 THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY DIVISION August 6 - Three Ring Stakes - 6 furlongs-Dirt - $150,000 September 3 - Jewel Princess Stakes - 7 furlongs-Dirt - $150,000 October 1 - Meadow Star Stakes - 1 mile-Dirt - $150,000

2016 THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT DIVISION August 6 - Unbridled Stakes - 6 furlongs-Dirt - $150,000 September 3 - Prized Stakes - 7 furlongs-Dirt - $150,000 October 1 - Foolish Pleasure Stakes - 1 mile-Dirt - $150,000

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COGLIANESE PHOTO

FSS Bonus Races

AcceleratedEarningPower.qxp_Florida Horse_template 3/28/16 1:52 PM Page 50

Florida Sire Stakes Program (FSS) FSS purse supplement will be awarded to the

The FSS program consists of over $3 million in purse awards for 2-year-old, 3-yearold and older horses and includes the lucrative Florida Sire Stakes – a twelve race series for two-year-olds. In 2015, a six race series for three-year-olds was added.

winner of a maiden special weight race if the winner is fully FSS eligible.

Foals are eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes series, and the two-year-old, three-year-old and up supplemental stakes program if:

Also included are a $5,000 FSS purse sup- 1. The foal’s sire was an FTBOA-registered stallion standing in Florida when the foal plement for each of 30 two-year-old maiden was conceived, AND special weight races, with 15 races for fillies and 15 races for colts/geldings. These 2. The foal is a Florida-bred registered with the FTBOA, AND 30 races typically start in April with at least two races per week, and each race at a dis- 3. The foal is kept eligible with payment of tance of at least 4.5 furlongs. The $5,000 eligibility fees by the deadline(s) required

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner • 850-617-7341 • Fax 850-617-7331 e-mail: Christopher.denmark@freshfromflorida.com 407 S. Calhoun • 416 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Lonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160 Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

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For more information go to www.ftboa.com or e-mail floridasirestakes@ftboa.com

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FTBOA Updates

Members on Just Ended Legislative Session

By BROCK SHERIDAN

T

he Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association held an End of Legislative Session Briefing and Recap meeting for members, directors and staff on March 17 at the Marion County Agriculture Center in Ocala to present a review of the recently concluded state legislative session including some behind the scenes observations.

Association president George Russell presided over the meeting that featured presentations by FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell, FTBOA lobbyist Matt Bryan and FTBOA General Counsel Warren Husband. Between Powell, Bryan and Husband, the FTBOA lobby team has a combined 80 years of experience working in state capital buildings stumping on behalf of clients and employers.

After Russell opened the meeting by welcoming the attendees and giving brief comments thanking the team for their tireless efforts, Bryan recounted for members the political environment before the 2016 Florida State legislative session in We will continue to work regards to the compact with the hard to ensure that any Seminole Tribe. legislation considered by the Bryan said that Governor Rick Scott (R) had negotiated a new legislature in the future is help- compact with the Seminole Tribe and wanted additional money from ful rather than harmful. the Seminoles for the state, including money for his planned $1 billion in tax breaks over the next five years and $250 million in economic development incentives.

“

”

52 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

Before the session, the Governor announced his agreement with the Tribe and that the agreement allows for decoupling.

“He didn’t say the legislature should decouple live racing and other forms of gaming and he didn’t say they shouldn’t,” Bryan said of the notice by the governor. “He just said the compact allows for decoupling.” But the Governor certainly wanted the legislature to approve the compact.

Bryan then went on to say that some of the legislators wanted to approve a compact while others did not. It was obvious, however, that passing a pure compact only was most likely not possible because pari-mutuel interests in the state would have blocked it. They feared that the new compact would have been very detrimental to their business. So the challenge became, how to pass a compact with enough concessions for the pari-mutuel interests to get a majority vote in each chamber.

Bryan also reviewed the key players in Tallahassee with regard to the compact and who was for it, who was against it and in what form. Some were for a pure compact without any concessions or money. Others were against the compact. Others, such as Senate President Andy Gardiner (ROrlando), were against any form of gambling. Then there was the group of permit holders that included current slot operators in the state and additional entities who had passed local referendums for slots in their respective communities.

Other major players included non-slot operators and of course, Disney and the No Casinos lobby effort.

Husband then spoke to the FTBOA members to provide additional detail on the Seminole Compact. He began by reminding members that federally recognized Indian Tribes essentially enjoy a sovereign status, so state gambling laws are inapplicable except as provided by federal law.

The current Seminole Compact was entered into with the state in April of 2010 and was ratified by the Florida

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Legislature and approved by the U.S. Department of the Interior in June of that year.

The 20-year term of the agreement runs until July 1, 2030, but the provisions granting the Seminoles the exclusive right to offer banked card games, like blackjack, expired on July 31, 2015.

Husband also spoke about a pending federal lawsuit filed by the Seminole Tribe against the state of Florida.

In this case, the Seminoles claim that the state breached the current Compact and the Tribe’s exclusive right to offer banked card games when state regulators authorized “player-banked” poker games at Florida parimutuels starting in 2011.

The Seminoles also claim that the state acted in bad faith in renegotiating the expiring banked card game provisions because, instead of focusing on those provisions alone, the state insisted that the Seminoles open up the entire 20-year agreement to renegotiation even though it was otherwise in place until 2030.

Husband also reminded members that there are six counties that have passed local voter referenda approving slot machines at their pari-mutuels: Gadsden, Palm Beach, Brevard, Hamilton, Lee, and Washington counties. Pari-mutuels in Gadsden and Palm Beach counties sought slot machine licenses, which state regulators denied. In the resulting legal challenge related to Gadsden County, the First District Court of Appeals initially ruled against the state, but then ruled in favor of the state on rehearing. This case is currently before the Florida Supreme Court.

The ruling in this case may have a significant impact on the current Seminole Compact in that the Compact purports to give the Tribe the exclusive right to operate slot machines outside of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. If this situation is not rectified, it would threaten the portion of Seminole gaming revenues that are shared with the state. Currently, the state receives more than $200 million per year from the Seminoles.

Bryan then reported on the FTBOA lobby effort during the legislation session. Senate President Joe Negron offered an amendment to the Senate Regulated Industries Committee bill that broadly expanded the bill to increase gaming. The amendment and the bill were both approved in Committee by a 12-5 vote. The amendment decoupled Calder but not Gulfstream Park nor Tampa Bay Downs. It also included approximately $50 million that would have been designated for supplementing thoroughbred purses and allowed for the FTOBA to retain the Ocala Thoroughbred Racing license, an item the

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COPELAND PHOTO

association wanted in order to guard against current thoroughbred tracks reducing their live racing dates. The amendment was not perfect and still needed refinement before the FTBOA would be supportive, but it contained concepts that would become beneficial to the Association later in the session. However, the bill never received another hearing in the Senate.

In the following weeks, several other bills were introduced that included some, but not all provisions wanted by the FTBOA and all of them eventually failed to pass. In the House, a Regulatory Affairs bill was introduced and considered by two committees. The bill allowed all permitholders to decouple with the exception of Gulfstream, Tampa, and jai alai operators. The bill made it to the floor of the House but never received a formal vote and died there.

Behind the scenes, many influential elected officials made significant contributions to the FTBOA lobby effort, which most likely would have been unsuccessful without their involvement. Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam (R), House Speaker Steve Crisafulli (R-District 51), Senate House Regulated Industries Committee Chairman Rob Bradley (R-District 7), House Regulatory Affairs Chairman Pepe Diaz (R-District 116), Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-District 18), Rep. Dennis Baxley (R-District 23), Your emails, letters, Sen. Alan Hays (R-District 11), Sen. Dorothy Hukill (R-District 8), Sen. Charles voice mails, personal S. Dean Sr. (R-District 5) and Rep. Charlie conversations and peti- Stone (R-District 22) all fought to protect thoroughbred breeders and owners. tions to the Legislators “At times during the session, we were really made a huge dif- dangerously close to having legislation apference and we thank proved that was crippling to thoroughbred breeders and owners,” Bryan said. “There you for working with were other times when items were on the and assisting us table that would have had a positively impacted thoroughbred breeders and owners.

We will continue to work hard to ensure that any legislation considered by the legislature in the future is helpful rather than harmful.”

The meeting concluded with Bryan saying that eventually decoupling in some form will probably be approved and that the FTBOA lobby team will have in place a plan to sustain and even ideally build the industry when decoupling becomes a reality. That plan currently includes such provisions as supplemental purse and breeder incentive pools, incentives for thoroughbred

54 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

tracks to continue live racing and retention of the OTR racing permit for Ocala.

Powell thanked those FTBOA members and other community, business and local government officials from Marion Co and the City for enthusiastically embracing the association’s initial “Say No to Decoupling” campaign.

“Your emails, letters, voice mails, personal conversations and petitions to the Legislators really made a huge difference and we thank you for working with and assisting us,” Powell said. “We also appreciate the support of those who came to show their support and bear witness to our legislators in action. Though that campaign was unfortunately not enough to keep the other breeds protected, these efforts coordinated or facilitated by our Association, membership and so many good people in Marion County, certainly did play a key role in keeping the thoroughbred industry and its documented, associated economic and job impacts for the area and state protected in spite of a gaming saturated legislative agenda. That acknowledgement by government leaders along with a package that included tens of millions in new purse and award pool money along with Gulfstream and Tampa remaining coupled to live racing was a major political development for our breeder and owner members and Marion County.

“One of the keys to effective and realistic lobbying is to have the ability to embrace your core position while maintaining the ability to be nimble and flexible on a real time basis and improve your chances on winning something for your industry. Proactively, we knew well advance of the session that we would likely need to have a variety of options in hand so we could remain effective and realistic as the legislative process evolved. That’s why we were able to pivot from the core ‘Say No to Decoupling’ position to ‘Protect & Build Our Thoroughbred Industry.’ To us, that was a fairly simple audible to call as we are the Florida thoroughbred breeders and owners.

We saw no beneficial need to hang on to the original, once appropriate and all of a sudden too rigid “No Decoupling” strategy once we achieved vital economic and required live racing concessions legislative support for non-decoupling of live thoroughbreds combined with a new money purse and awards pool among other things.

The risk of getting decoupled with no economic infusion to our thoroughbred industry at the same time was just not a risk worth taking. Job Number One for us always remained to protect and ideally build the thoroughbred industry even in the face of such political and gaming adversity –no matter the legislative result.” ■

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Decoupling_LonnyPreparesFutureSessions.qxp_Florida Horse_template 3/31/16 1:20 PM Page 56

FTBOA CEO Prepares for Future Legislative Sessions Offers Strategic Insight to US Thoroughbred Horsemen & States

By BROCK SHERIDAN

T

he Florida thoroughbred horse racing and breeding industries as well as greyhound, harness and quarter horse owners and breeders saw the sun go down on the controversial decoupling and tribal gaming compact efforts in Florida with the end of the state legislative session on Mar. 11.

Fighting the potentially devastating initiative has been an all-consuming activity for FTBOA leadership and lobby team in recent months.

Had it passed, it would have allowed for current live racing requirements to be dropped at most greyhound tracks, Calder, quarter horse track Hialeah and harness track Isle of Capri with racino operators pocketing new financial windfalls while the owners, breeders, trainers, employees, and others would have been left on the sidelines with virtually nothing. By session end, current law prevailed and live racing remains a critical requirement for all Florida pari-mutuel racinos to offer slots and card games.

FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell noted that throughout the legislative session, thoroughbred breeders’ and owners’ interests retained protection from decoupling. However, greyhound, quarter horse and harness tracks were set on getting out of the racing business while wanting all of the profits from their casinos and are likely to continue their efforts in the future.

“We never lost sight that, in the final analysis, job number one for FTBOA was to specifically protect our Florida thoroughbred breeding and racing industry,” Powell said.

“We had engaged partners who felt the same including the Ocala Breeders Sales Company and the Stronach Group.

While the current battle against decoupling in Florida appears to be over for now, the war may continue. And the FTBOA lobby team say they will not let down their guard for challenges and opportunities.

56 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

“A vast majority of the greyhound tracks are committed to getting out of the business and becoming casinos and reaping wind-fall profits,” Powell told Thoroughbred Daily News. “So I think they’ll keep the drums beating on the issue as will Hialeah and Calder. We’re back to status quo for now [no legislation passing] and we can’t forget, we in Florida are most fortunate in that we remain one of the top breeding (#2 foal crop in North America the last 4 years) and racing jurisdictions in North America. That being said, there’s no way that the work is over on this or frankly anything else. It is still ‘pick and axe’ time from our perspective. We are already looking at the short- mid- and long-term opportunities to grow the business while to protecting it. We ended up working closer than ever with our like-minded stakeholder partners like OBS and The Stronach Group on formulation and strategy as the session ended. I would like to see that relationship remain and even grow which is an ironic positive that came out of all of this.”

Powell said one of the more effective weapons in the decoupling fight for the Florida horse industry was having upto-date economic impact studies that were spear-headed and co-sponsored by the FTBOA shortly after shortly after Powell took the reins of the Association. Having that mechanism to present to legislators, community leaders and members proved to be consequential.

“If you wait until any sort of decoupling-like debate starts, and then try to make your case with outdated metrics that don’t accurately portray how the thoroughbred industry contributes to the state’s economy, you’re operating from a position of significant weakness,” he also told TDN. “You also must have a viable means of communicating your public policy message and advocacy out to your membership, community and stakeholders by keeping them engaged and accurately informed at the grass roots level. Our member and community letter writing, petition signing and related advocacy support really helped us keep our thoroughbred industry pretty much out of the line of fire and,

Decoupling_LonnyPreparesFutureSessions.qxp_Florida Horse_template 3/29/16 3:19 PM Page 57

granted off-track betting rights, to material state ‘claw-backs’ from gaming generated funds and accounts originally intended for purses and awards, major roll-backs in your track facilities and/or live racing dates and more. We see some of these things immerging around the country or even already happening.

“Unfortunately these efforts and others yet invented or known will likely never go away as long as there are certain racinos and gaming expansion opportunists.”

He also urged other states and their owners, breeders and horsemen to be proactively prepared should they face gaming expansion, decoupling or major race date or economic reductions in their markets.

We never lost sight that, in the final analysis, “ job number one for FTBOA was to specifically protect our Florida thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. —Lonny Powell

”

“My advice to the horsemen around the country is to have ongoing dialogues with your local racetracks, regulators and legislators now—particularly if they are in a racino or hypercompetitive gaming market. Make sure they’re committed to live racing and a cooperative desire to explore changes in your racing model which would help keep and incent the tracks and horse owners to keep investing and participating in the business” Powell told TDN. “And if those conversations become uncomfortably vague, uncertain or non-committal in nature, or it is clear that key individuals are wanting to keep their options open, you need to have a Plan B, Plan C and a Plan D of how you’re going to deal with it in order to either change or prevent possible related industry paralysis or even implosion. Obviously, the more your respective thoroughbred and parimutuel industry can proactively be united and on the same page on this, the better your chances—especially if you are prepared with multiple strategic options in your holster versus being locked into one non-flexible game plan as there is nothing cast in stone when it comes to the political process. The combination of tracks, breeders, owners and trainers can make an effective and visible lobby coalition. Unfortunately, such collaboration is not always in great supply in our US industry. That continues to need to change sooner versus later for best interests of our industry nation-wide.” ■ COPELAND PHOTO

in fact, at the table and coupled to live racing.”

However, it is important to note that what truly killed decoupling in Florida this session was the compact and its excessive public policy obstacles regarding aggressive gaming expansion throughout the state. When the compact died this time, so did the current decoupling push. Now, if the compact would have passed, decoupling almost certainly would have been implemented in some form.

The fact that Florida may be unique in having to deal with decoupling complexities within a massive effort to approve a new Seminole gaming compact worth billions and said to be the most lucrative and complex agreement of its kind nationally, just made the job of the Florida horse industry that much more difficult according to Powell.

“The good news here is most other states won’t have to face what we faced here with a large tribal compact facilitating decoupling which was a real “double-whammy” to navigate through and around.” Powell said. “At least if you do deal with decoupling straight-up without the backdrop of sovereign nations and non-tribal gaming expansion you can more focus your preparation, arguments and message. If you have your ducks in a row, our industries can make a compelling opposition case.

“I have had a number of folks from other pari-mutuel markets ask if I had any advice beyond the economic impact studies and grass-roots advocacy initiatives. As is the case so often in the gaming and other highly regulated industries, so much of this will come down to the individual situations and respective political, economic and competitive gaming environments in specific state and pari-mutuel industries. Such anti-industry laws and regulations could range from pure decoupling of live racing from gaming, to closed tracks being

FTBOA CEO & Executive Vice President Lonny T. Powell

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016 57

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Jockeys and Jeans Event Sets Record for Donations to the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund

M

Robert Duvall poses with attendees

ore than 200 attended the Jockeys and Jeans PDJF fundraiser at Gulfstream Park on Sunday, Feb 28. Among them were 14 Hall of Fame jockeys, six severely injured jockeys as honored guests, and such dignitaries as Will Farish, former Ambassador to England and founder of Lane’s End Farm, and Academy Award winner Robert Duvall, a friend of attendee Kathy Kusner, a famed equestrian rider and the first female licensed as a North American jockey.

The event’s live auction, handled by Fasig-Tipton auctioneers, featured three stallion seasons donated by Lane’s End and syndicate owners of stallions based at the famous farm, as well as one season from Claiborne Farm. Another 15 donated stallions seasons were sold at auction on the popular website, Starquine. Radio show host Mike Penna was Master of Ceremonies..

“While final numbers are still being tallied, It’s safe to say total revenues will top the record $204,000 raised

58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

by Jockeys and Jeans at last year’s event at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino,” said PDJF Director, Nancy LaSala. In three years, Jockeys and Jeans has raised more than $430,000 for the organization, with the last two venues the most raised at events to benefit PDJF. Jockeys and Jeans president and former jockey, Barry Pearl, announced at the event that the fourth edition will be held at Parx Casino & Racing near Philadelphia in the spring of 2017.

“I always thought of racing as an extended family,” said Pearl. “And once again they proved to the world they care about the sport’s severely injured jockeys by honoring their accomplishments in rebuilding their lives and providing sorely needed financial assistance. In behalf of the organizing committee, I thank everyone on every level who made a decision to give to those who gave so much to racing.”

The PDJF supports some 60 riders who suffered on track, career-ending injuries, including about half who are either pari or quadriplegic. Jockeys and Jeans was founded by a group of former jockeys in 2014. ■

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Foal_All_InBreeding_Layout 1 5/11/15 3:26 PM Page 1

Though certainly not a surprise, it is still always amazing to see our in-state thoroughbred industry numbers in terms of how they fit with and relate to Florida’s economy. A recent 2013 conservative study conducted by nationally acclaimed pari-mutuel and gaming economists Cummings & Associates of horse breeds from the pari-mutuel industry based in the Sunshine State provided a handful of very impressive equine economic impacts including:

■ $1 billion per year of Economic Impact ■ More than $400 million expended per year in local salaries and payroll taxes ■ More than 12,000 jobs ■ An annual economic impact state-wide far in excess of coveted baseball spring training

Florida...the Best State for Business

Foal_All_InBreeding_Layout 1 7/22/15 9:50 AM Page 2

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Lonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160

SALLY MOEHRING PHOTO

Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com www.ftboa.com • www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Adam H. Putnam, Commissioner • 850-617-7341 • Fax 850-617-7331 e-mail: Christopher.denmark@freshfromflorida.com 407 S. Calhoun • 416 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

TOBAClinic.qxp_Florida Horse_template 4/1/16 9:56 AM Page 62

Resources for Owners Highlighted at Clinic T

Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners (at right) explains conformation.

he Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association held its first Pedigree and Conformation clinic of the year on March 1 at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale. The daylong clinic included a welcome and introduction to the Florida industry by Tammy Gantt from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ & Owners’ Association, an OwnerView website update by Suzie Oldham, conformation presentations from Hagyard Equine’s Dr. Michael Hore, rail side analysis of working horses with Catlyn Spivey of Equine Analysis, a backside tour and older horse inspection at Todd Pletcher’s barn with Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, as well as a leading trainer’s viewpoint with Gary Contessa, pedigree theories with Ian Tapp of Gainesway Farm, auction procedures with Reed Ringler and a live conformation workshop with two-year-olds in training with Niall Brennan.

“We were excited for the first clinic of the year. Focusing on pedigree and conformation is a topic that everyone can learn about and hear different viewpoints from professionals at each stage of a horse’s life,” said Aly Strainer, TOBA Director of Membership & Marketing. “The clinics are open to everyone. They attract a wide range of people from fans, prospective breeders seeking a foundation of education, to longtime owners and even outside disciplines who want to expand on the education they have acquired from their own experience.”

FTBOA members receive a discounted rate for each TOBA clinic as part of their membership benefits.

62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

Owner View: Promoting to New and Existing Owners OwnerView is a free information website developed jointly by The Jockey Club and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association for new, prospective and current Thoroughbred owners. OwnerView includes a wealth of information about Trainers, Racing Syndicates, Getting Started, Licensing, Racetracks, Veterinary, Aftercare, Publications and State Incentive programs.

Trainer Information OwnerView includes detailed statistics for any active trainer including a report that allows an owner to compare statistics for two or more trainers. OwnerView also includes the Top 10 horses trained by each trainer. Trainers can upload their Profiles including contact information, web site address, professional bio, photo, what tracks currently training, day rate, training and management practices and client references. Owners can view the Regulatory Rulings for any active trainer and submit Ratings about their experiences with their trainer in the areas of Communication, Integrity, Billing and Staff.

Racing Syndicates OwnerView includes detailed statistics for managed racing syndicates, including a listing of syndicates with comparative statistics. OwnerView will also display the Top 10 horses owned by each racing syndicate. Racing syndicates can upload their profiles including contact information, web site address, professional bio, photo of silks or managing partner, what tracks and trainers are their

GANTT PHOTOS

TOBAClinic.qxp_Florida Horse_template 4/1/16 9:56 AM Page 63

TOBAClinic.qxp_Florida Horse_template 4/1/16 9:56 AM Page 64

horses currently racing, and client references. Clients of racing syndicates can submit Ratings about their experiences with the syndicate in the areas of Communication, Integrity, Billing and Staff.

Getting Started Owning Thoroughbreds This section of OwnerView titled "Ownership" provides a variety of information for the new or prospective owner. You can view video testimonies from existing Owners, Trainers and Racing Partnerships that include advice and suggestions for the new Thoroughbred owner. Also, included in this section are the topics; Own your first Thoroughbred, Develop a Business Plan, Select your Advisors, Purchase Options, Insurance and Tax considerations, Cost of Ownership, definitions for Industry Terms and Industry Organizations.

Owner Profiles Attendees at the TOBA clinic listen to tips during works.

Thoroughbred Owners that are registered with OwnerView can upload a personal Profile, made viewable to the public, including Bio information,

64 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

Photo, email address, trainers used, background/profession, best advice for new Owners and much more. The Owner Profiles will help other prospective Owners better understand the profiles of individuals that invest in Thoroughbred Ownership.

Racetracks The Racetrack section of OwnerView was developed with input from Thoroughbred owners and several tracks. This new section lists most Thoroughbred tracks in the U.S. and Canada, grouped by their daily average purse distribution, and provides information such as address, race dates, owner hospitality contact, and links to each track’s website.

State Incentives States that offer owners and breeders incentives to race and breed Thoroughbreds in their State are listed in this section of OwnerView. The list of States includes a condensed description of their incentives.

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Click on the name of any State to view the profile page which offers more details about each incentive program.

State Licensing Every racing jurisdiction requires a Thoroughbred Owner to apply for an Owner’s license. OwnerView includes contact information for each State Racing Commission and access to their Owner License Form.

Aftercare Learn about the responsibility of an Owner to plan for the retirement of horses they own. View a list of Thoroughbred Retirement Facilities in each State and where you can make financial donations.

Veterinary Within the Veterinary section, visitors can research equine health topics, learn about racetrack injuries, become better educated about equine welfare and

health considerations, review a list of equine hospitals, search for a veterinarian, and review Q & A in the “Ask a Vet” section. This new section was developed in partnership with the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).

Publications & Books This new OwnerView feature lists Thoroughbred publications and books on a variety of ownership and horsemanship topics. By simply selecting "Publications” from the OwnerView menu you will be shown a diverse listing of National, State/Regional and Specialty Publications. Also included in this new section are selected books covering many ownership and horsemanship topics. ■

Buying at the Sales Viewpoint – Trainer Gary Contessa

• • • • • • • • • • • •

Create your shortlist

The back of the horse is important for propulsion, the front is the frame to carry it

Where is your potential buy running? Counterclockwise track or clockwise track? In the U.S., the left leg must be correct to minimize risk Remember, there is an exception to every rule you use for horse conformation Suspensory is important

A horse may not look like a runner but a horse may come together in motion, i.e. poetry in motion Look for an athlete versus pedigree

Mares who throw good runners continue to throw good ones

Throats – needs to be a spade shape, if not the horse’s breathing is lessened

Check endoscopes and x-rays for entrapped epiglottis and flipped pallet, rate throats A-C.

Recall the old horsemen’s adage “no foot, no horse” – but now foot problems can be managed more than in the past Gallop versus breeze at the sales – There is the Adena and Stronach philosophy of the horse not being worked to breezes and handled lightly when going to the sales, this mindset has produced stakes winners so it is something to think about when looking at horses that breeze and do not

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016 65

AroundCountry.qxp_Layout 1 3/31/16 1:21 PM Page 66

■FLORIDA-BREDS AROUND THE COUNTRY ————By Race Type/Grade ————

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—STAKES RACES Win/Place/Show Breeder

Date

Track Off ID Pos Race Name

Grade/ Value

Earngs

$79,190

$47,100

3/$100,000

$60,760

Horse Name

Sex Age Sire

Dam

Guns Loaded

G

5

D'wildcat

One in the Chamber Equest Thoroughbreds Inc.

2/28/16

SA

1

Joe Hernandez S.

X Y Jet

G

4

Kantharos

Soldiersingsblues

Didier Plasencia

2/27/16

GP

1

Gulfstream Park Sprint S.

Two Step Time

C

3

Two Step Salsa

Money Peg

Chessmate Thoroughbreds International LLC & Peter Halsall

2/27/16

HOU

1

Texas Heritage S.

$50,000

$30,000

Iron Rob

C

3

Twirling Candy

Cold Blooded

John C. Pereira

2/21/16

SA

1

Baffle S.

$77,380

$47,100

You Bought Her

M

6

Graeme Hall

Striking T

CLDelaplane & RGDelaplane Trust UA 6/1/92 & Shade Tree Th

2/20/16

TAM

1

Minaret S.

$50,000

$30,000

Swift Lady

F

3

Awesome of Course

The Church Lady

Ciaran Dunne & Amy Dunne

2/14/16

SA

1

Sweet Life S.

$79,080

$46,620

Control Stake

C

4

Discreetly Mine

Be a Quiet Honey

B.P.N.

2/13/16

HOU

1

Sam Houston Sprint Cup S.

$50,000

$30,000

El Botas

H

5

Consolidator

Found Gold

Jessica Lynn Stegall

2/27/16

HOU

2

Bucharest Turf Sprint S.

$50,000

$10,000

Forevamo

C

3

Uncle Mo

Candlelightdinner

Ocala Stud

2/20/16

FG

2

Veterans Ford Risen Star S.

2/$400,000

$80,000

More Royalty

F

3

More Than Ready

Royal Ancestry

Dizney Double Diamond LLC

2/20/16

GP

2

Melody of Colors S.

$75,000

$14,550

Souper Lucky

G

5

Giant's Causeway

Slewfoundmoney

Live Oak Stud

2/13/16

LRL

2

John B. Campbell S.

$75,000

$15,000

Valueable Charmer F

3

Value Plus

Charm Spell

Big C Farm

2/13/16

TAM

2

Suncoast S.

$60,000

$20,000

Katie''s Kiss

F

4

Kantharos

Sydney's Kiss

A. Francis Vanlangendonck & Barbara Vanlangendonck

2/6/16

GP

2

Ladies' Turf Sprint S.

$75,000

$14,550

Amelia''s Wild Ride H

5

D'wildcat

Amelia Island

Red Oak Stable

2/6/16

GP

2

Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint S.

$75,000

$13,800

Fellowship

C

3

Awesome of Course

Go Girlfriend Go

Jacks or Better Farm Inc.

2/27/16

GP

3

Xpressbet.com Fountain of You 2/$400,000

$39,600

Gone Away

F

3

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) Miss Tullamore Dew Dianne D. Cotter

2/27/16

GP

3

Herecomesthebride S.

3/$150,000

$14,550

Thoughtless

F

4

Rockport Harbor

Whistle Call

Peggy S. Dellheim Norman Dellheim & Darley

2/20/16

OP

3

Spring Fever S.

$100,000

$10,000

R Sassy Lass

F

4

Exclusive Quality

Sassy Bear

Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung

2/20/16

TAM

3

Minaret S.

$50,000

$5,000

Double Ours

H

6

Half Ours

Double Bling

Oliver B. Brooks Jr. Joseph Barbazon & Helen Barbazon

2/13/16

HOU

3

Sam Houston Sprint Cup S.

$50,000

$5,500

Mexikoma

H

5

Birdstone

Toccet Over

Hickstead Farm

2/6/16

GP

3

Donn H.

1/$500,000

$48,500

Grande Shores

H

8

Black Mambo

Sexy Stockings

Jacks or Better Farm Inc.

2/6/16

GP

3

Fred W. Hooper S.

3/$100,000

$9,700

Jewel of a Cat

M

6

Wildcat Heir

Marbleous Routine Mr. & Mrs. Marty Hershe

2/6/16

GP

3

Ladies' Turf Sprint S.

$75,000

$7,275

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—ALLOWANCE Win/Place/Show Horse Name

Sex Age Sire

Dam

Breeder

Track Date

Off ID

Grade/ Pos Value

Earngs

Tasunke Witco

C

4

High Cotton

Saint Gertrude

Ocala Stud

2/28/16

PRX

1

$52,380

$32,400

Flatter''s Secret

F

4

Flatter

Albany Park

Donald R. Dizney

2/25/16

PEN

1

$29,500

$17,700

Indian Rocket

F

4

Indian Charlie

Yellow Heat

E Paul Robsham Stable LLC

2/20/16

TP

1

$13,600

$6,000

Union Grace

C

3

In Summation

Eva's Way

Buddy Jones

2/19/16

CT

1

$24,000

$14,340

Forest Mist

G

4

Forestry

Misty Tab

Michael Anthony Rodriguez

2/17/16

MVR

1

$17,500

$10,500

66 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Swift Lady/Sweet Life S.

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Guns Loaded/Joe Hernandez S.

COGLIANESE PHOTO

XY Jet/Gulfstream Park Sprint S. (G3)

AroundCountry.qxp_Layout 1 3/28/16 2:04 PM Page 67

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—ALLOWANCE Win/Place/Show continued Horse Name

Sex Age Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track ID

Off Pos

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Maravillosa Pena

M

5

Teuflesberg

East Lake Classic

Sherry R. Mansfield Kenneth H. Davis & Adele E. Mansfield

2/14/16

CMR

1

$8,470

$5,226

Smoltz

G

4

Montbrook

Digital Delight

Grantland J. Johnson & Gary Caple

2/12/16

HOU

1

$20,000

$11,880

Imwiththeblonde

M

6

Montbrook

Silent Serenade

Ocala Stud

2/10/16

PEN

1

$30,680

$17,700

Grab the Cash

F

4

Demaloot Demashoot

Mesmerizing

Marilyn McMaster

2/9/16

MVR

1

$19,500

$10,500

Island Cat

G

4

Cowtown Cat

Amelia Island

Red Oak Stable

2/6/16

LRL

1

$44,646

$23,940

Patrick Rocks

G

2

Awesome of Course

Dewars Rocks

Lucio Mendoza & Orlando Morales

12/18/15

CT

1

$26,900

$16,140

Spezia

C

3

Speightstown

Via Veneto

Dizney Double Diamond LLC

2/28/16

OP

2

$73,000

$14,600

Chica Fabulosa

F

4

Indian Express

Mary's Joy

Victor Dominguez

2/25/16

PEN

2

$29,500

$5,900

Bonnie K

F

4

Majestic Warrior

Royal Confection

Elizabeth P. Whelan David J. Whelan Teresa Murphy & Steve M

2/20/16

CT

2

$24,000

$4,720

We''re All Set

G

5

With Distinction

True Glitter

Curtis Mikkelsen& Patricia Horth Gordon Reiss & Lindie Reiss

2/20/16

GP

2

$39,200

$9,560

In Mid Heir

M

6

Wildcat Heir

Rhythm in Shoes

New Farm

2/19/16

CT

2

$27,000

$5,380

Pure Lemon

F

3

Eskendereya

Unicorn Kid

Sally J. Andersen L. Richard Kent & John Waterman

2/15/16

CMR

2

$13,027

$2,605

Rick''s Boy

G

4

Flashstorm

Repentina

Northwest Stud

2/12/16

PEN

2

$33,040

$5,900

Coral Point

M

5

Graeme Hall

Ruby Park

Eugene Melnyk

2/5/16

CMR

2

$12,892

$2,930

Idon''tknogoaskanni

M

8

The Daddy

Sweet Davia

Henry C. Follette

2/25/16

PEN

3

$29,500

$3,245

Enterprising

G

5

Elusive Quality

Indy Blaze

Glen Hill Farm

2/20/16

TAM

3

$24,400

$2,800

Tiger of Wales

C

4

D'wildcat

Cuckoo Sue

Carol Kemp

2/18/16

OP

3

$70,000

$7,000

Hold Me Down

F

4

Hold Me Back

Heart Ofa Champion

Rowling Oaks Farm LLC

2/17/16

GP

3

$38,600

$4,400

Idon''tknogoaskanni

M

8

The Daddy

Sweet Davia

Henry C. Follette

2/14/16

LRL

3

$42,000

$4,620

Dancinanimaux

F

4

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ)

Full of Dance

Michael Mandara & Deeana Mandara

2/13/16

DED

3

$41,070

$4,290

Tiznow R J

C

4

Tiznow

Ruban Bleu

Haras Santa Maria de Araras S.A.

2/12/16

OP

3

$70,000

$7,000

Joe Pike

H

5

Benny the Bull

Allofeverything

Joanna Reisler

2/10/16

CMR

3

$11,706

$1,245

Double the Cheers

G

4

Concerto

Frisky Cheerleader

Elizabeth H. Muirhead

2/7/16

TAM

3

$20,300

$2,700

Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’s Association •Lonny Powell – CEO, Executive Vice President •Brock Sheridan – Editor-in-Chief •Tammy Gantt – Assistant Vice President, Membership Services, Events Director, Contributing Editor, Industry and Community Affairs Adena Springs South •Declan Doyle – Director of Stallion Seasons & Sales

Gulfstream Park •Michael Costanzo – Claims Clerk

Tampa Bay Downs •Allison DeLuca – Racing Secretary

Hialeah Park •R. Peter Aiello IV – Director of Simulcasting, Track Announcer

Breeder •Rick Heatter

Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park •Heather Belmonte – Executive Assistant Ocala Breeders’ Sales •Tom Ventura – President •Kevin Honig – Mutuels

Trainers •Todd Pletcher •Chuck Simon

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016 67

und The Country

Florida-Breds Aro

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Florida-Breds Aro

The Country und

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

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track ID

Off Pos

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Indavidualist

C

3

Kantharos

Lyin Goddess

Manuel Rosales & Ivan Hernandez

2/27/16

SA

1

$56,000

$33,600

Animal Instinct

G

4

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ)

Silver Lisa

Anthony Robinson

2/26/16

GP

1

$38,800

$24,400

Sonoma Crush

C

3

High Cotton

Alotofappeal

Ocala Stud & Edward Wiest

2/20/16

FG

1

$40,000

$24,000

Imperial Hint

C

3

Imperialism

Royal Hint

Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc

2/19/16

TAM

1

$22,700

$13,500

Ray''swarrior

C

4

Majestic Warrior

Mary Alex

Alex Lieblong & JoAnn Lieblong

2/15/16

OP

1

$68,000

$40,800

Our Way

G

3

Tizway

She's Sensational

Farm III Enterprices LLC

2/12/16

GP

1

$32,000

$19,200

Colombian Queen

F

3

Big Drama

On the Dole

Harold L. Queen

2/11/16

GP

1

$32,000

$19,200

First Thought

C

3

Montbrook

Think Fast

John B. Penn

2/10/16

GP

1

$32,000

$19,200

Charlotte Amalie

F

4

Rockport Harbor

Moloko

Marilyn McMaster

2/6/16

HOU

1

$19,000

$11,040

D''wildcat Time

F

3

D'wildcat

Smarty Time

GoldMark Farm LLC

2/3/16

CMR

1

$12,578

$7,444

Splash Rules

G

3

Pomeroy

Siena's Splash

River Run Farm

2/27/16

TAM

2

$20,600

$4,600

Big Changes

C

4

Midshipman

Colorama

Joanne Crowe & Joe Pickerrell

2/20/16

OP

2

$70,000

$14,000

Dalmore

C

3

Colonel John

Silver Breeze

Sally J. Andersen

2/20/16

SA

2

$56,690

$11,200

Faction Cat

C

3

Wildcat Heir

Zooming By

Ann Ferrentino

2/19/16

TAM

2

$22,700

$4,600

Osceola Pond

G

3

Cape Blanco (IRE)

Big Promise

Glen Hill Farm

2/14/16

TAM

2

$20,600

$4,600

Dudette

F

3

First Dude

She's Our Angel

Destiny Oaks of Ocala

2/13/16

TAM

2

$20,900

$4,600

Leonardo Da Vinci

C

3

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ)

Top of the Noggin

Wendy Christ Kathie Haines & Elderbreds Inc.

2/12/16

GP

2

$32,000

$6,400

Yankee Lass

F

3

Yankee Gentleman

Blueyed Lass

Galen Ho''o

2/11/16

FG

2

$40,000

$8,000

Charming Fantasy

F

3

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ)

Evil Eyed Czarina

John David Zuidema Jr.

2/11/16

GP

2

$32,000

$6,720

Unintimidated

C

3

Big Drama

Doc's Doll

Dr. & Mrs. James Gamble

2/10/16

GP

2

$32,000

$6,720

Liana Star

F

3

Line of David

Colcon

Chris Compton

2/7/16

AQU

2

$60,000

$12,000

Two for the Money G

4

Circular Quay

Key West Appeal

A. Francis Vanlangendonck & Barbara Vanlangendonck

2/3/16

CT

2

$23,000

$4,600

Wildwood Dancer

G

4

Pomeroy

Dancing Elaine

Richard Thompson & Linda Thompson

2/28/16

OP

3

$70,000

$7,000

Interest Rate Swap G

4

High Cotton

Scarlet Combo

Michael Chamberlain

2/28/16

TAM

3

$20,300

$2,300

Newcomb

F

3

Giant's Causeway

Rainbow's Song

Glen Hill Farm

2/27/16

SA

3

$68,495

$6,720

Bullish Bird

G

4

Summer Bird

Pheodora

Dr. K. K. Jayaraman & Dr. V. Devi Jayaraman

2/25/16

PEN

3

$28,500

$3,135

A Song of Faith

F

3

Crown of Thorns

Trolley's Last

Woodford Thoroughbreds

2/20/16

DED

3

$38,710

$3,575

Shot

G

4

Big Brown

Magna Heart

GoldMark Farm LLC

2/18/16

GP

3

$36,400

$4,360

Rizzi''s Honors

F

3

With Distinction

Runaway Rizzi

Pedro Maestre

2/13/16

SA

3

$57,725

$6,720

Ms. Scarlet Fever

F

3

Value Plus

Frontier Franny

Arboritanza Racing LLC Jolane Weeks & Barbara Rehbein

2/13/16

TAM

3

$20,900

$2,300

Adelberg

C

3

Eskendereya

Timuquana

Dizney Double Diamond LLC

2/12/16

GP

3

$32,000

$2,880

Determined Lady

F

3

Big Drama

Lemon Pie

Hal Queen Farm

2/12/16

GP

3

$41,000

$5,000

Smile Big

F

3

Big Drama

Margaret Smile

Kinsman Farm

2/11/16

AQU

3

$60,000

$6,000

Sheikh and Sleek

F

3

Include

Sheikh's Serenade

Live Oak Stud

2/11/16

GP

3

$32,000

$3,520

Eklipsado

C

3

First Dude

Koni's Penty

Steve Tucker & Michelle Jackson

2/10/16

GP

3

$32,000

$3,520

Journey by Sea

C

3

J P's Gusto

Settling Seas

Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung

2/6/16

SA

3

$58,415

$6,720

Mama Splash

F

4

D'wildcat

Perfect Marriage

Irish Eyes Stable LLC & Verbarctic Farm

2/6/16

TAM

3

$20,300

$2,300

Regal Madame

F

3

Colonel John

Regal Miss Copelan

Woodford Thoroughbreds

2/6/16

TP

3

$18,078

$1,000

Supah Czech

C

3

Uncle Mo

Supah Jackie

Hickstead Farm

2/5/16

LRL

3

$46,840

$4,400

Fugacious Dancer

F

4

Afleet Alex

Toccet Over

Hickstead Farm

2/5/16

SA

3

$56,345

$6,720

68 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

FasigTiptonSale.qxp_Florida Horse_template 3/29/16 3:16 PM Page 2

Ocala Connections Hit it Big at Fasig-Tipton Florida B

By BROCK SHERIDAN

oth people and horses from the Ocala area proved to be very popular at the Fasig-Tipton Florida sale held Mar. 2 at Gulfstream Park as the top seller was bred in Florida and local consignors sold many others that brought more than $500,000 each.

The highest price on the evening was $1.8 million for Hip No. 131, a Florida-bred colt by leading sire Tapit out of Bethan, by Giant’s Causeway. Bethan is an unraced half-sister to successful sire and Grade 1 winner Hard Spun, who was second to Street Sense in the 2007 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and won the Grade 1 King’s Bishop later that year.

David Ingordo signed the ticket on the gray or roan colt for new owners Woodford Racing, Lane’s End and Robert LaPenta. He was consigned by Old South Farm, of Barnwell, S.C. Three other juveniles brought $1 million and all three had connections to the Marion County area.

One of the first horses to pass through the ring was Hip

JOE DIORIO PHOTOS

Hip 131 the opening session at $1.8 million (inset) Cary Frommer

5, a dark bay or brown colt by Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and champion Uncle Mo, and the first on the evening to bring $1 million.

Out of the stakes-winning Two Punch mare Five Star Dream, the colt was consigned by Carey Frommer, of Aiken, S.C., who also owned the colt in partnership with Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association board member Barry Berkelhammer, owner of Abracadabra Farm in Ocala.

Stonestreet Stables and M.V. Magnier bought the colt. The colt was bred by Sal and Colleen Simeone’s Sienna Farm located in Belleview.

Also bringing $1 million was Hip 56, a colt by two-time Horse of the Year Curlin out of On a Roll, by A.P. Indy. On a Roll is also a fullsister to stakes winners Ender’s Sister and Ender’s Shadow. The chestnut colt was consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables of Ocala and Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa al Maktoum bought the colt.

The third juvenile to bring a final bid of $1 million was Hip 94 by Pioneerof the Nile, the sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, and out of Faith in Me, by Mr. Greeley. She was consigned by Randy Hartley and Dean DeRenzo’s Hartley DeRenzo Thoroughbreds of Ocala and Jamie McCalmont signed the ticket on the dark bay or brown colt for M.V. Magnier.

Jim Crupi, owner of Crupi’s New Castle Farm in Ocala, was the consignor of Hip 117, a bay filly by Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner Tapizar out of the stakes-winning mare Yawkey Way,

by Grand Slam, that lit up the money board at $800,000. Dennis O’Neil and Erik Johnson purchased the filly.

FTBOA board member Mark Casse went to $650,000 for Hip 133, a son of Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Bodemeister, out of Blossomed,

by Deputy Minister. Blossomed is also a half-sister to graded-stakes winner Cinemine and stakes winner Flick, who is also a stakes producer. The dark bay or brown colt was consigned by J.B. and Kevin McKathan of Citra.

Ocala’s Niall Brennan consigned a couple of juveniles that dropped the gavel at $500,000 each in Hip 32 and Hip 116.

The former is a dark bay or brown colt that went to E Five Racing.

He is by Hard Spun and is out of the stakes winning mare Liam’s Dream, by Saint Liam. Liam’s Dream is also a half-sister to stakesplaced filly Holdontoyourdreams.

Hip 116 is a bay colt by leading sire Scat Daddy out of the stakesplaced mare W.W. American, by Quiet American. W.W. American is a half-sister to Grade 1 stakes winner Sean Avery and stakes-placed Stayclassysandiego. E Five Racing also put in the final bid on this colt. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 69

MembershipUpdates_aprilmay2016.qxp_Florida Horse_template 3/31/16 12:50 PM Page 20

FTBOA MEMBER UPDATE

Keeping members informed

If you are an FTBOA member and have not renewed your membership, you may want to do so before waiting until the Fall when you register your foal. After March 31, services begin to discontinue for your The Florida Horse subscription, notifications and discounts. Membership runs January to January annually with a grace period until March 31. Don’t miss an issue, e-blast update, mailings, other important membership information, services and discounts. Renew today. Forms available at www.ftboa.com .

The membership department has had 18 % of the surveys issued to members returned so far. FTBOA will be compiling the results, much like we did the communication survey a couple years ago, and will share it with the membership. The survey assists us in serving the members better and in tailoring our programs and services to our membership. The survey inquired about farm operations so we could expand upon the economic impact studies we’ve already completed. The goal is to use this information to show the economic and land use of our industry to legislators.

Congratulations to Jacalyn Tillman of Dunedin for winning the 2 night stay at the Hollywood Beach Marriott in South Florida (an estimated $700 value). She was randomly chosen from all surveys returned postmarked by February 15. A secondary drawing will be held for all surveys that come in through April 15.

RETIRED THOROUGHBRED RECOGNITION AT GALA

FTBOA is proud to support retired thoroughbreds. FTBOA honored two Run for the Ribbons All Thoroughbred Horse Show participants on Gala evening. The first award winner was Carly Kowalchuck. She is the high point rider for the 2015 show season.

Also honored was Best Chum, the high point 70 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

From left to right: Kelly Usposito, John Evans, Angie Del Gindice, Nicole Mason-Saurez and Diana Pikylski

horse for the series, owned by Rebecca Nelsen. The show was brought to life by FTBOA member Laurine Barreira-Vargas who wanted to showcase the versatility of the thoroughbred. Each received a horse statuette representing the achievements.

FTBOA also recognized the Thoroughbred Charities of America Award of Merit honored John Evans, manager of the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm. The Second Chances Farm, located at the Lowell Correc-

JOHN NEVAREZ PHOTO

MEMBER SURVEYS EARLY RESULTS

tional Institute in Ocala, celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2015 and over 120 women have gone through the program. The program boasts an unheard of recidivism rate of over 90 percent, meaning almost every student who goes through the equine certification program does not return to prison. This statistic is overwhelming when you consider many of the women were on the road to lives in the system.

Evans supervises the care for the up to 50 retired Florida thoroughbreds and he serves

MIKE COPELAND PHOTO

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER

as an educator bringing in equine experts so the women gain valuable knowledge they can use in equine jobs upon release. John also is a mentor and role model for the students as they learn to work with the horses in a positive manner. They also learn the deep love people have for the horses in their care during and after their lives on the racetrack. Evans epitomizes this love when you see his eyes light up as he talks about farm retiree Forbidden Apple, a Florida Horse of the Year, that he was responsible for while at Bridlewood Farm many years ago. The famed horse was second in the Breeders’ Cup mile in 2001 and won the Manhattan Handicap among other key wins in his 31 starts. The horse is one of the many retirees – some champions and some that never raced – that he knows are valuable teachers for the students. Evans’ previous experience at top farms also assists him in working to place the women into productive jobs upon release. He has a tireless love for seeing people succeed and drive to ensure that horses have lifelong homes where they also inspire. ■

Tammy Gantt, Assistant Vice President, Director of Membership Services & Events, Contributing Editor and Industry & Community Affairs

Cohen_Farmmanagement.qxp_Florida Horse_template 3/28/16 2:10 PM Page 1

FARM ManageMent

Tax Benefits From Land Protection

S

everal years ago, I wrote an article about tax benefits related to land conservation for horse farms and landowners. April is here and the dreaded tax time is upon us, so it seemed like a good time to revisit the subject and mention some very enticing tax incentives.

Landowners know that (even with an agricultural exemption) property taxes can represent a big portion of the tax burden, however, with a conservation easement it is possible to reduce property land taxes by 50%, or even 100%.

There can also be an additional income tax incentive to potentially write-off 50%, or even 100% of income taxes for up to 16 years.

Conservation easements are not new, but the way the state and federal government’s treat them has changed. In December of 2015, Congress made permanent a federal income tax incentive for conservation easement donations that can help thousands of landowners conserve their land and also receive income tax deductions from their charitable donation. The increased conservation easement tax incentives now allow qualifying farmers deductions up to 100% of their income (landowners 50%), during the year in which the easement is donated. This incentive can continue for up to an additional 15 years on any remaining value of the easement.

In order to qualify for these income, property, and estate tax incentives, the property must have a permanent conservation easement placed on the land. A conservation easement is a voluntary legal agreement between a landowner and a qualified conservation organization, (i.e. land trust or a government agency). The easement permanently limits a property’s uses in order to protect its conservation values, but flexibilities are built in to accommodate changing futures. They are usually donated, but can be sold, with the easement and land’s management plan tailored to the facilities’ current and intended future uses. Finally, the land is still privately owned and can be sold or passed on to heirs.

Florida voters passed a law in 2008 creating a new property tax classification for lands protected with a conservation easement. The law allows a 100% exemption provided the land is used exclusively for conservation purposes. Farm

and forest lands, as well as other commercial lands potentially qualify for this exemption. The 50% ad valorem property tax exemption applies to lands under conservation easement that are also used for allowed commercial activities (calculated on an already-reduced assessment granted under existing statutes.) Any residences, fences, barns, or other structures are still subject to ordinary assessments and property taxes. A conservation easement also reduces estate taxes up to 40% of the encumbered value of land (but not improvements), however, the exclusion is capped at $500,000.

The Conservation Trust for Florida (CTF) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit land trust that assists landowners with protecting their land with a conservation easement. This organization protects working Florida lands, large landscapes, wildlife corridors and also prevents unchecked development.

Founded in 1999, the mission of the Conservation Trust for Florida is to work with landowners to save Florida’s wild and working landscapes for future generations. CTF has protected over 17,000 acres by working with private landowners, governmental agencies, and other partners.

If you own property with important natural, scenic, recreational, or historic resources, donating a voluntary conservation easement can be one of the smartest ways to protect the natural and scenic qualities of the property, as it maintains the individual’s private property rights, but possibly also realizes significant federal and state tax benefits. Tax incentives and land protection are important and complicated issues; if more information is needed about conservation easements and associated tax benefits, contact me or the Conservation Trust for Florida to get assistance for any horse farm having any concerns regarding land protection. As always, keep up the good management practices! ■ Jamie Cohen • 352-671-8792 Farm Outreach Coordinator UF IFAS/Marion County Extension Service jamiecohen@ufl.edu.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 71

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DRIFTING Out

Horses and Politics “A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the Henry David Thoreau, power of the majority.”

in the 1930 Travers, and as president eight years later, was glued to his seat during Clem McCarthy’s radio broadcast of the match between Seabiscuit and War Admiral.

Hugh Carey, seven-term congressman and New York On the Duty of Civil Disobedience governor from 1975-‘82, was a Belmont Stakes and

by Mike Mullaney here was a whole lot of voting going on in Florida this Saratoga regular, and, long after leaving office, he patrolled the box seats looking for old friends, new friends spring, and, mercifully, some non-voting as well.

Managing Editor Gov. Rick Scott sought ratification of a gaming pact and the occasional tout. for Florida Equine Communications with the Seminole Tribe that, after meandering through The respect the racing community continues to hold Senate and House waters, picked up legislative barnacles for the contributions of governors Jim Edgar of Illinois that included the onerous “decoupling” provision that and William Schaefer of Maryland, and State Sen. Ken would allow “racinos” to abandon their commitment to Maddy of California, is recognized with stakes races named in their honor. those same sports that put them in business.

On the other hand, N.Y. Gov. Charles Evans Hughes As the struggle played out, decoupling was dismantled logically and passionately via the exhaustive lobbying ef- pushed through the Director’s Liability Act in 1910, which forts of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ shut down New York racing for two years. While not as Association, with great support from individual stake- draconian, neither Gov. Mario Cuomo, nor his son Anholders. Due to their combined efforts, the bill didn’t drew, the current governor, had or have had a warm relacome to a vote, thereby providing respite for an industry tionship with the New York Racing Association.

As an aside, it could be noted that Client Number 9, under constant threat of the deal-making and tender meran otherwise undistinguished racehorse, was named in cies of the legislative process.

Meanwhile, the presidential campaign flew through honor of New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer, for reasons unrelated to racing or breeding.

Florida with no candidate visiting Marion County.

The last sitting president to attend a major horse race Marco Rubio, in the waning days of his bid, came close when he visited The Villages in neighboring Sumter was Richard Nixon, who saw fellow Californian Majestic County. One of Rubio’s closest friends is Esteban Bovo, Prince edge Arts and Letters in the 1969 Kentucky Derby.

George W. Bush was a presidential candidate and govwho succeeded Rubio in the House of Representatives in ernor of Texas when he saw the Wouldn’t tagging Mr. Clinton with a nickname honoring one of the 2000 Derby, in company with his nation’s hottest studs – and Florida’s champion freshman sire – make an father, “George H.W.,” who was otherwise tumultuous campaign season a little more enjoyable? making his third trip to the Derby after leaving office.

Hillary Clinton’s late mother-in-law, Virginia Kelly, was 2008. During the late ‘90s, Bovo juggled a seat on the Hialeah city council while serving as PR Director at no stranger to the windows at Oaklawn Park, and her son, Hialeah Park, appearing in the track’s program as “Steve Bill Clinton, regularly attended the Arkansas Derby when he Bovo.” After gaining his House seat, Bovo played a criti- was governor of Arkansas. And he was on hand at Belmont last spring to watch American Pharoah seal his Triple Crown. cal role in securing slots for Hialeah Park.

If Hillary wins the prize, she is on record saying that she Hialeah now seeks to decouple.

Political connections to horse racing, if they exist, aren’t will refer to her husband as the “First Dude,” co-opting a noalways discreet, as exemplified by the very public appear- tion first expressed by Sarah Palin. We can let them fight ances of the Kentucky and Maryland governors at their Triple that out, but wouldn’t tagging Mr. Clinton with a nickname honoring one of the nation’s hottest studs – and Florida’s Crown jewels, the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. champion freshman sire – make an otherwise tumultuous Some politicians actually loved horse racing.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, when governor of New York, campaign season a little more enjoyable, at least for Donald saw Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox stunned by Jim Dandy Dizney and everyone else at the Double Diamond Farm? ■

T

72 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

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CATON’S Call

by Caton Bredar

All That Glitters G

old was clearly the Florida color scheme March 26, 2016, and it glistened and gleamed brightly, well beyond Florida and throughout the wide racing world, from sun up all the way to sun down.

The Brinks Truck drivers needed a good night’s sleep. Well before the noon hour eastern daylight savings time, from the sands of Dubai and the near victory of Florida-bred XY Jet in the $2 million Golden Shaheen (G1-UAE), through that gold trophy Art Sherman could scarcely hoist above his head after the $10 million Dubai World Cup (G1-UAE) (it all seemed bigger than he was) and that solid gold whip Victor Espinosa was not going to be able to bring back to the States as a carry on—all the way back and through the late, prematurely blazing South Florida sun draping over the Pegasus statue at Gulfstream Park as fans waited after the last race continues to to hear announcement of walk the line all tracks must walk the pot of gold payoff in the now epic, record-settoday, in terms of balancing quantity ting Rainbow 6, it was over quality and, in the absence of an abundantly clear all the gold was NOT in Califorabundance of great racehorses or nia, or even Dubai for races, find new ways to generate that matter.

For the record, XY Jet’s interest and handle. connections took home approximately $400,000 for his gutsy, front-end runnerup effort. The California Chrome contingent added a cool $6 million to the bankroll, not to mention compounding interest on the already significant reputation and following the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness (G1) winner continues to enjoy through social media and his legions of “Chromies” fans.

Back at Gulfstream Park, the Rainbow 6 paid more than $89,456.00 to each of the 147 ticket holders correctly able to identify the winners of the final six races on another marathon racing program. Unsolved since Jan. 13, the pool had grown to more than $4.5 million

Gulfstream Park

74 THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL/MAY 2016

going into Saturday, Mar. 26 and it had picked up nearly $5 million before the horses even entered the walking ring for the first leg, race seven. By the time cyber lines stopped buzzing and the dust had settled, as Bill Mott picked up his first of three winners during the course of the sequence, nearly $10.8 million was added to the pool—a record eclipsing the 2007 record amount bet on a $2 Pick 6 at Hollywood Park of $7.5 million, by more than $3 million. It was a moment to remember.

Perhaps more important than the $15.2 million pool, though, the Rainbow 6 helped anchor an otherwise lackluster day of racing in the Sunshine State to the tune of more than $25.9 million total wagered on the 12-race program, a program lacking any major runner or race beyond the random horse who might, one day, turn to gold. That total also set a record for a single day other than a Florida Derby Day since the new facility in Hallandale Beach opened in 2006.

The interest in the Rainbow 6 leading up to that day, and the excitement throughout the day itself, were palpable. With a mandatory payoff date deliberately set at a week before the track’s signature day, Florida Derby Day, there was plenty of time for build-up and advertising—both free and paid for, not to mention ample time for handicappers to prepare. By the time the day rolled around, among hardened race goers as well as more enthusiastic, occasional fans there was a discernible sparkle. Just as many people were talking about the Dubai World Cup as were also putting together syndicates and talking about ticket structures.

For a track that’s taken its share of hits—some deserved—for diminishing quality in the face of extended, daily race programs—Gulfstream Park continues to walk the line all tracks must walk today, in terms of balancing quantity over quality and, in the absence of an abundance of great racehorses or races, find new ways to generate interest and handle. All that glitters may not be gold. But a pot of it can go a long, long way. ■

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