FloridaHrseSeptember2011

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Whether it’s in the auction ring or on the racetrack, Florida-breds mean business In 2010, the Sunshine State produced 3 Breeders’ Cup and Eclipse champions in Awesome Feather, Big Drama and Dubai Majesty.

Legendary Florida-bred Affirmed is still the last horse to have swept the Triple Crown Now more than ever, can you afford to not breed, own and race Florida-breds?

TOP AND BACKGROUND PHOTOS: LOUISE REINAGEL

Don’t wait for success to come to you.

Go with a winner.

Breed and race Florida-breds.

Contact the FTBOA more information at (352) 629-2160; www.ftboa.com Or visit us on facebook at www/facebook.com/thefloridahorse

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Adam Putnam, Commissioner 850-921-7916 • Fax 850-922-0374 e-mail: michael.ryshouwer@freshfromflorida.com 407 S. Calhoun • 427-A Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

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CONTENTS September 2011

VO L 5 4 / I S S U E 7

FEATURES FTBOA 2011 BOARD CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES

22

SPECIAL STATUS

24

A quartet of Florida breeders leads the way by number of 2011 Florida-bred stakes winners.

—By Jo Ann Guidry

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

30

Florida breeders Fred Brei and Harold Queen capture top prizes on Juvenile Showcase day at Calder—By Michael Compton

BREI’S HOMEBREDS ARE AWESOME, OF COURSE 34 —By Nick Fortuna

STRONG DEMAND

36

Demand for Florida-breds strong during Fasig-Tipton’s Saratoga sale—By Michael Compton

AVERAGE AND MEDIAN RISE AT OBS AUGUST SALE

38

—By Michael Compton

‘COIL’ED UP

40

Florida-bred Coil wins Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park—By Nick Fortuna

CROWN RACING

46

Horse ownership for everyone —By Amanda Roxborough

EQUINE CARE: ALL SHOOK UP

48

Adapting vibration therapy to horses —By Denise Steffanus

FINAL SPONSORS NAMED FOR HORSE FEVER 52

DEPARTMENTS/COLUMNS FLORIDA FOCUS

8

FTBOA CHASE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

16

HORSE COUNCIL NEWS

54

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

57

Total hoof care management

NEWS BITS

58

YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARK

59

—By Connie Duff Wise

FLORIDA’S LEADING SIRES

60

PLAYER’S PAGE

62

—By Paul Moran COVER PHOTO: MARK WYVILLE CONTENTS: FLORIDA-BRED COIL—BILL DENVER

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

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801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474 (352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michael Compton BUSINESS MANAGER

Patrick Vinzant ART DIRECTOR

John Filer CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JoAnn Guidry ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Beverly Kalberkamp CORRESPONDENTS

Jay Friedman, Doug McCoy, Cynthia McFarland, Mark Shuffitt

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

Executive Office - 801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fred Brei, President/Board Chairman Brent Fernung, 1st Vice President Phil Matthews, 2nd Vice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Richard E. Hancock CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Caroline T. Davis

© 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 Publications or the Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Association. Publication of any material originating herein is expressly forbidden without first obtaining written permission from THE FLORIDA HORSE©.

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.

A dvertisin g co py d ead lin e 5th o f mo n th p recedin g p ub licatio n. Su bscrip tio ns and ch ang e of add ress: Please m ail to – Circulation s D ep artment. T HE FL ORIDA H ORS E, 801 SW 60th Ave., O cala, Florida 34474.

Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc.

BOYD

American Horse Publications • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

FTBOA OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Fred Brei, President Brent Fernung, First Vice President Phil Matthews, Second Vice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer

DIRECTORS Linda Appleton Potter Joe Barbazon Dean DeRenzo Donald Dizney Barry W. Eisaman

Roy Lerman J. Michael O’Farrell, Jr. Jessica Steinbrenner Francis Vanlangendonck Charlotte C. Weber

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Richard E. Hancock THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 5

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welcome Florida’s freshman sires making their mark

Michael Compton/JOE DIORIO PHOTO

Fast Start

Florida is well-known for the early success of its promising young sires.

This year is no exception.

reshman sires from the Sunshine State are once again getting precocious juveniles on the racetrack, and it is reflected in the national standings.

Ocala Stud’s High Cotton leads the way in Florida and ranks 5th nationally with progeny earnings of $342,132 through early September. The leading sires list in this issue (page 60) reflects statistics through Aug. 31.

An earner of $462,574 during his racing career, High Cotton is a son of Dixie Union out of the A.P. Indy mare Happy Tune. His leading earner is Hopeful Stakes (G1) I thought they would be early and have speed. I winner Currency Swap think his runners won’t be just speed. They should with $180,000. He is the go long as well. His offspring that we had at the sire of six winners. farm all have good bone, good size and trained “I thought they would well. He’s by Dixie Union, who had a lot of speed, be early and have speed,” and High Cotton broke his maiden in his second said Ocala Stud’s J. start, but won his stakes races at two turns.

Michael O’Farrell Jr. of —J. Michael O’Farrell Jr. of High Cotton’s juveniles High Cotton’s juveniles.

“I think his runners won’t be just speed. They should go long as well. His offspring that we had at the farm all have good bone, good size and trained well. He’s by Dixie Union, who had a lot of speed, and High Cotton broke his maiden in his second start, but won his stakes races at two turns.”

Second in Florida and 15th nationally with earnings of $170,982 at press time is Mr. Sekiguchi. The son of Storm Cat—Welcome Surprise, by Seeking the Gold, stands at Bridlewood Farm. Mr. Sekiguchi’s top runner is stakes winner Rose and Shine, an earner of $170,502.

Journeyman Stud stallion Saint Anddan ranks third in the Sunshine State and 16th nationally. The graded stakes-winning son of A.P. Indy—Adoradancer, by Danzig Connection, has five winners and is led by Woebegon, an earner of $36,000.

F

“

6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

Ocala Stud stallion High Cotton

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

”

“To be honest, he’s off to a faster start than I thought he would be, being by A.P. Indy,” Journeyman Stud’s Brent Fernung said of Saint Anddan. “But when I started breaking his young horses, Woebegone and a few others gathered themselves very quickly. I’m real happy with where we’re at with him right now. I believe his runners should be even better as they get older.”

Signature Stallions’ Shakespeare is the fourthleading freshman sire in Florida with progeny earnings of $146,626. The millionaire son of Theatrical (IRE)—Lady Shirl, by That’s a Nice, has three winners and already one repeat winner. He is the sire of impressive Woodbine maiden special weight winners Laertes and Shakespeare’s Brew. The latter, with earnings of $41,013, is his leading earner.

Rounding out the top five is Journeyman Stud’s Exclusive Quality with $136,101 in progeny earnings. The stakes-winning son of Elusive Quality out of the Glitterman mare First Glitter, is represented by five winners and his leading earner is Quality Lass, an earner of $48,885.

Ready to crack the top five are Hartley/De Renzo’s Simon Pure and Journeyman Stud’s Teuflesberg. Simon Pure has progeny earnings of $124,540 and boasts six winners from his first crop.

Teuflesberg follows with $99,154 in progeny earnings. He has three winners and his Trinniberg most recently finished second to High Cotton’s Currency Swap in the Hopeful Stakes (G1) at Saratoga. ■

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Currency Swap Splashes To Victory in Hopeful Stakes Son of Ocala Stud stallion High Cotton earns berth in Breeders’ Cup Juvenile

By MICHAEL COMPTON Florida-bred Currency Swap remained undefeated in his two career starts with a victory in the Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (G1) on closing day Sept. 5 at Saratoga.

After a stretch-long duel, Currency Swap, ridden by Rajiv Maragh, wore down Trinniberg, a son of Journeyman Stud stallion Teuflesberg, in the final strides to score by three-quarters of a length. Over a sloppy

track, Currency Swap covered seven furlongs in 1:26.16.

“I wasn’t sure I was going to win it until after I had passed the wire,” said Maragh.

The win earned the colt, owned by Klar-

Brilliant Speed Hits Best Stride in Saranac Live Oak Plantation Florida-bred shows affinity for the turf in Saratoga feature

By MICHAEL COMPTON Florida-bred Brilliant Speed regained the form that saw him sweep to victory in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) over Polytrack at Keeneland earlier this year when he impressively put away a competitive group in the 10th running of the Saranac Stakes (G3) Sept. 4 on the turf at Saratoga.

Well-rated in mid-pack early as Chinglish led through an opening quarter in 24.33 seconds with Queen’splatekitten taking over for a half-mile in 49.89, Brilliant Speed made a three-wide move on the far turn to join the leaders in the stretch. He blew by Queen’splatekitten in the final furlong, winning by 2½ lengths at the wire. His final time for 11⁄8 miles over firm turf was 1:48.73.

“We’ll keep our options open,” said Tom Albertrani, who trains Brilliant Speed for Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation. “He showed more kick today, which is what I had wanted to see on the dirt. All things considered, he might just have to stay on the grass; Polytrack might also be an option. Johnny kept him a little closer to the pace today and didn’t let the lack of speed get away. He had a nice kick today.”

Brilliant Speed, a son of Dynaformer, finished third over a sloppy track in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and in his most recent start finished fifth in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) at Saratoga.

With the winner’s $60,000 share of the Saranac purse, Brilliant Speed has now earned $700,750.

“I knew there wasn’t going to be a lot of speed, so I wanted to be in nice position,” said jockey John Velazquez. “I had a good hold of him. He was going nice the whole way around. At the quarter-pole, I asked him and he responded right away. A very good effort. He’s a better horse on the grass. No doubt.”

Albertrani indicated that the Grade 1 Jamaica Handicap, 11⁄8 miles on turf Oct. 8, was likely to be the next start for Brilliant Speed.

NYRA PHOTO

Florida-bred Brilliant Speed winning the Grade 3 Saranac at Saratoga.

8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

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Big Drama Returns With Big Performance

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

avich Stables and William Lawrence and trained by Teresa Pompay, a berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile at Churchill Downs as part of the “Win and You’re In” series of races. It was the first Grade 1 win of Pompay’s career.

“I was so excited I thought I was going to pass out,” said Pompay, who began galloping horses at the Spa when she was 16.

“It’s been exciting and fun because I knew I was bringing a good horse. This horse is so special. I’m so proud of him that he came through.

“This is just the start, because now we can go forward from here,” she added. “Obviously we’d like to do the Breeders’ Cup. I think this horse is going to get better as he gets older, and I think he’ll like the added distance as well.”

Currency Swap is

by Ocala Stud stallion High Cotton, currently Florida’s leading freshman sire. The Hopeful winner was bred by Stonecliff Farm and was broken and trained by De Meric Thoroughbred Sales. The winner’s purse of $180,000

boosted his bankroll to $210,000, triple what his owners paid for him at the FasigTipton yearling sales in Kentucky last July.

“It’s been a long time between Grade 1s for us,” said Klaravich owner Seth Klarman, noting his last Grade 1 winner was Subordination in the 1998 Eddie Read at Del Mar. “We were excited about this horse before he even ran. We’ll see how he comes out. Logically, the next spot would be the Champagne [Grade 1, Oct. 8, Belmont Park].”

Trinniberg finished 3¾ lengths clear of Big Blue Nation.

Ocala Stud stallion High Cotton (below) and Currency Swap (above).

Harold Queen’s 2010 Eclipse champion sprinter Big Drama returned from a layoff of more than 6½ months with a very impressive 2¼-length victory in the $75,000 Whippleton Stakes at Calder Casino & Race Course Sept. 4, a race that should put him on track to defend his title in the $1.5 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs on Nov. 5.

With jockey Daniel Centeno aboard, Big Drama broke from the one-post in the field of just four after three scratches and sat second behind a first quarter in :22 flat down the backstretch of the 6½-furlong test.

He took command easily into the far turn and held a safe margin over second-choice Black Cat Diamond to the wire in 1:173⁄5 over the ‘fast’ track. Peace At Dawn and Accredit completed the order of finish.

The race marked Big Drama’s first start since winning the $100,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at

JIM LISA PHOTO

NYRA PHOTO

By CALDER PUBLICITY

Florida-bred Big Drama (center)

Gulfstream Park on Jan. 15 in track record time for six furlongs, his only appearance since sealing his Eclipse championship campaign winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill last Nov. 6.

The 5-year-old Florida homebred by Ocala Stud stallion Montbrook ran his career earnings to nearly $2.75 million.

“I was relieved when they (Calder officials) got the race to go and we didn’t have to ship (Monmouth Park for Icecapade Stakes), but I’m even more relieved now, and he did it without a shoe (left fore). We think he might have lost it leaving the gate,” said winning trainer David Fawkes. “The fractions were legitimate (22, 454⁄5 & 1:104⁄5). Danny (Centeno) and Eibar (Coa) are friends and Eibar told him to ride him with confidence and he did. After he made the lead, he just coasted home. It was all very smooth. He’ll stay down there and train and then be flown up here (Belmont Park) the week of the Vosburgh (Oct. 2).”

THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 9

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Jackson Bend All Heart in Forego Victory Florida-bred Jackson Bend (above) is by Journeyman Stud stallion Hear No Evil (below).

the seven furlongs. Fellow Florida-bred Aikenite rallied late for third.

The victory made Jackson Bend racing’s newest millionaire.

The $150,000 winner’s share of the purse lifted his career bankroll to $1,062,450.

“Last time, I was able to figure him out a little bit,” said Nakatani.

“He can be tactical. I just let him get in that high cruising speed.

When I called on him and needed to get into position at about the three-eighths pole, he was there. Turning for home, I angled down, then I angled back out and he exploded. Once I get to the lead on him, he kind of waits a little for horses. I’m getting to know him a little better each time. Once I set him down and got him running, it was a matter of how far he was going to win.”

Jackson Bend bookended his meet in stylish fashion. Prior to the Forego, he captured the James Marvin Stakes July 27.

Winning trainer Nick Zito said he vigorously conditioned Jackson Bend in the lead-up to the Forego and was grateful the strategy paid off.

“We socked it to him pretty good [with] those workouts,” said the Hall of Fame conditioner. “He hadn’t run in six weeks. Whether I’m a tough coach on him, I don’t know, but he responded. He didn’t get away good but he made up for it and it worked out perfectly for him. We all got excited [on the turn]. Tom Durkin’s call was right on the money, he said ‘Jackson Bend’s starting to run!’ and we all got excited.”

The Forego was the first graded stakes win for Jackson Bend, who began his career at Calder where he swept the 2009 Florida Stallion Stakes series. He was second in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial and third in the Grade 1 Preakness in 2009 and this year had gone 0-1-1 in four Florida starts prior to his two starts at Saratoga. Overall, Jackson Bend is 7-5-2 from 20 starts.

SERITA HULT PHOTO

By MICHAEL COMPTON Florida-bred Jackson Bend may not be the biggest horse on the grounds, but the same thing can’t be said about his heart.

Racing for Robert LaPenta and breeder Fred Brei, Jackson Bend demonstrated his grit and made it back-to-back stakes victories at Saratoga with an authoritative score in the Forego Stakes (G1) on Sept. 3.

In the back of the pack early after breaking from the rail, Jackson Bend launched his rally around the far turn. Jockey Corey Nakatani guided Jackson Bend between horses in the stretch and the son of Journeyman Stud stallion Hear No Evil did the rest, hitting the wire 3¼ lengths ahead of Jersey Town. He stopped the timer in 1:22.08 for

NYRA PHOTO

Florida-bred son of Journeyman Stud stallion Hear No Evil notches first Grade 1

10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

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Gulfstream Announces $3 Million in Capital Improvements

12 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

Saturday morning of ‘Breakfast at Gulf- listening to our fans, who have expressed a stream,’ will also have 250 free covered desire for additional covered seating. We beseats for the 2011-12 season, which runs lieve our fans will enjoy the location of our from Dec. 3 through April 8. stadium seats, which will be located near “The capital improvement projects un- the finish of our 11⁄16-mile races.” derway are just another sign of Trakus uses wireless techMr. Frank Stronach and The nology that monitors every Stronach Entertainment Group’s horse at every moment in every commitment to Thoroughbred race. Their positions are digiracing and to our fans both lotally displayed by using small cally and globally,” said Gulfradio transmitters that travel in stream’s President and General the saddle towels of each horse.

Manager Timothy Ritvo. “While The Trakus Online Network the new Gulfstream was conalso allows race information for structed only six years ago, Mr. every horse at each point-ofStronach is committed to giving call and full results data is availTim Ritvo Gulfstream a facelift and keeping up with able every half furlong for trip distance, the latest in video technology. peak and average speeds, margins and rail “Mr. Stronach and our staff also continue distance.

JIM LISA PHOTO

Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino announced last month a $3 million capital improvement project that will include the installation of six new Daktronics boards throughout the facility, approximately 250 stadium seats in the Tiki Hut area, and the addition of the Trakus system to enhance video and instantaneously digitize races.

Gulfstream will replace the Barco board in its infield, the three around its walking ring and the two in its north and south towers with enhanced, higher resolution Daktronics LED displays. An additional LED board will be installed in the infield directly across from the Tiki Hut to give fans a better view of the races.

The Tiki Hut, a popular gathering spot for families and race fans and the site each

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By NICK FORTUNA With $716,735 in the bank, Bridgetown is a formidable turf runner wherever he goes, but there’s something about the Saratoga lawn that brings out the best in the Florida-bred colt each August.

Bridgetown, a homebred for Eugene Melnyk of Winding Oaks Farm in Ocala, improved to 3-for-3 on the Saratoga turf with a 6¾-length romp in the $76,500 Troy Stakes on Aug. 17. The 4-year-old son of Speightstown and the Tabasco Cat mare Ellesmere got his first win on that grass course in a $50,000 maiden special weight race in August 2009 and returned last August to capture the $70,000 Latham Stakes.

Bridgetown was sent off as the 4-5 favorite in the 5½-furlong Troy Stakes, which drew a field of six 3-year-olds and up. Usual rider John Velazquez got him to settle into second place early as Florida-bred Wildcat Frankie, making his turf debut, carved out fractions of 22.26 seconds for a quarter-mile and 45.40 for a half-mile on a yielding course.

With just a light shake of the reins, Velazquez prompted Bridgetown to challenge the leader on the outside, and the horse went to the front easily at the quarter pole before opening up a 3½-length lead early in the stretch run and drawing off. He stopped the clock in 1:03.13 after getting right-handed encouragement from Ve14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

lazquez in the final sixteenth of a mile.

“He handled everything well,” Velazquez said. “It was very impressive. He broke a step slowly, so I gathered him up for the first part of the race. I think that was the difference right there, getting him to settle for the first part of the race.”

Florida-bred Pashito the Che, with Javier Castellano aboard, finished second, half a length ahead of Awakino Cat. Goldzar, Yield Bogey and Wildcat Frankie completed the order of finish.

Bridgetown was running for the first time since a trip to Great Britain, where he finished 12th of 19 in the King’s Stand Stakes (G1) at Ascot in June. He’s won seven of his 14 career starts.

“He came back well and was right back to himself the last three to four weeks,” said Tristan Barry, an assistant to winning trainer Todd Pletcher. “He’s been doing very well, as he normally does, so we were expecting him to run a big race. We will see what Todd and Eugene (Melnyk) want to do from here, but this

was a nice starting point. It was good to see him back in the winner’s circle.”

Bridgetown is a five-time stakes winner, having also won the Summer Stakes (G3) at Woodbine in 2009, the $104,000 Gilded Time Stakes at Monmouth Park last year and the $75,000 Turf Dash at Tampa Bay Downs in February. He also was the runner-up to Pounced in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) at Santa Anita in 2009 and finished fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs in November.

Pashito the Che, a 5-year-old son of Flatter bred by Mr. and Mrs. Leverett S. Miller, was racing for the first time since finishing last of 12 in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs in November.

Pashito the Che, trained by Scott Lake for Tuna Stables and Off the Hook Racing, is a five-time stakes winner, with his biggest victory coming in the $250,000 Gallant Bob Handicap at Philadelphia Park in October 2009. He has eight wins and $537,670 in earnings from 19 career starts.

Beautiful Pleasure Euthanized Florida-bred Beautiful Pleasure was euthanized in August stemming from complications from chronic laminitis. She was 16 years old and she produced her final foal, a Medaglia d’Oro colt, in February.

The champion older mare of 1999, Beautiful Pleasure was bred in Florida by Beautiful Pleasure winning the 1999 Farnsworth Farms and raced in the colors of Breedersʼ Cup Distaff John Oxley. She earned more than $2.7 million in a stellar career, winning 10 races, seven of them stakes, from 25 lifetime starts.

She captured five Grade 1 races—the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Beldame and Personal Ensign in 1999 and the Personal Ensign and Hempstead Handicaps the following year and was honored as Florida’s Horse of the Year in 1999 and 2000.

Beautiful Pleasure was a daughter of Maudlin out of the Baldski mare Beautiful Bid, making her a full sister to Mecke.

MICHAEL J. MARTEN PHOTO

Florida-bred Bridgetown

COGLIANESE PHOTO

Bridgetown Impresses in Troy Stakes

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Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship ” Point Standings through September 7, 2011.

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Horse

Breeder

Owner

Trainer

Currency Swap (High Cotton) - 15 Fort Loudon (Awesome of Course) - 6 Argentine Tango (Black Mambo) - 4

Stonecliff Farm Jacks or Better Farm Inc Jacks or Better Farm Inc

Klaravich Stables Inc & William H Lawrence Jacks or Better Farm Inc Jacks or Better Farm Inc

Teresa M Pompay Stanley I Gold Stanley I Gold

Jacks or Better Farm Inc Harold L Queen Peter Vegso Racing Stable

Jacks or Better Farm Inc Harold L Queen White Hall Lane Farm

Stanley I Gold David Fawkes David A Vivian

Live Oak Stud Glen Hill Farm Dianne D Cotter

Live Oak Plantation Karl Watson, Michael E Pegram & Paul Weitman Dianne D Cotter

Thomas Albertrani Bob Baffert H Graham Motion

Ocala Stud Hardacre Farm LLC E Paul Robsham Stables LLC

Blinkers On Racing, Dave Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons, Lapso, et al Hardacre Farm LLC E Paul Robsham Stables LLC

Mike Puype Amy Tarrant Todd A Pletcher

Jules Boutelle Preston Stables LLC Robert V LaPenta & Fred J Brei

Justin Sallusto Charles L Dickey Nicholas P Zito

IEAH Stables, Whizway Farm, Robert Teel and Pegasus Holding Group Stables Pinnacle Racing Stable & William A Kaplan Robert Smithen

Richard E Dutrow W Kaplan Brian A Lynch

Two-Year-Old Filly Redbud Road (Awesome of Course) - 7 Queen Drama (Burning Roma) - 5 Citizen Advocate (Proud Citizen) - 2

Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Brilliant Speed (Dynaformer) - 23 Coil (Point Given) - 21 Toby’s Corner (Bellamy Road) - 18

Three-Year-Old Filly Turbulent Descent (Congrats) - 55 Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy) - 29 R Heat Lightning (Trippi) - 10

Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding) Teaks North (Northern Afleet) - 33 Flat Out (Flatter) - 25 Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 19

Brylynn Farm Inc Nikolaus Bock Jacks or Better Farm Inc

Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare) Amen Hallelujah (Montbrook) - 25 Musical Romance (Concorde’s Tune) - 16 Bay to Bay (Sligo Bay) - 13

Thorobeam Farm Ocala Stud Adena Springs

Male Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding, race distances one mile and less) Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 17 Trappe Shot (Tapit) - 17 Apriority (Grand Slam) - 16 Aikenite (Yes It’s True) - 15

Jacks or Better Farm Inc Hobeau Farm Donald R Dizney Brylynn Farm Inc

Robert V LaPenta & Fred J Brei Mill House Donald R Dizney Dogwood Stable

Nicholas P Zito Kiaran McLaughlin David Fawkes Todd A Pletcher

Female Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare, race distances one mile and less) Turbulent Descent (Congrats) - 40 Pomeroys Pistol (Pomeroy) - 29 Amen Hallelujah (Montbrook) - 25

Ocala Stud Hardacre Farm LLC Thorobeam Farm

Blinkers On Racing, Dave Aurelio, Robert Butler, Joleen Coons, Lapso, et al Hardacre Farm LLC IEAH Stables, Whizway Farm, Teel, Robert and Pegasus Holding Group Stables

Mike Puype Amy Tarrant Richard E Dutrow

Jules Boutelle B J Wright Chuck, Ella & Lou Hagaman

Justin Sallusto Michael Pender Ron Moquett

Robert Smithen Frank Carl Calabrese Peter Fuller

Brian A Lynch Nick Canani Milton W Wolfson

Male Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding, races run on the turf) Teaks North (Northern Afleet) - 33 Jeranimo (Congaree) - 17 Bim Bam (Deputy Wild Cat) - 12

Brylynn Farm Inc Brylynn Farm Inc J D Farms

Female Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare, races run on the turf) Bay to Bay (Sligo Bay) - 13 Romacaca (Running Stag) - 9 Trip for A.J. (Trippi) - 8

Adena Springs Cashel Stud Inc Peter Fuller

■ Selection Criteria for Florida-bred champions Year-end divisional champions will be determined using the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” point system, a ranking that awards points for success in stakes races.

The “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” allocates points for stakes wins in graded races, open-company stakes and Florida’s signature racing days, with the number of points awarded based upon the classification of the race. International stakes race status is governed by the International Cataloguing Standards Committee. The first three finishers in all Group/Graded and listed races appearing in Part I of the International Cataloguing Standards and International Statistics Book printed by The Jockey Club receive “black-type” designation. Ten point bonus to be awarded to any 2-year-old colt or filly sweeping all three legs of the Florida Stallion Stakes in determining the Champion 2-year-old Florida-bred.

The Florida-bred with the most points in each division on December 31 is deemed champion of that division. Horse of the Year, Broodmare of the Year and Breeder of the Year will be voted on by the FTBOA Board of Directors and announced at the FTBOA’s annual awards dinner.

In the case of a year-end tie in points in any division, earnings will be used to decide the tiebreaker. — Points are assigned as follows: 16 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

■ World Thoroughbred Championship ■ Sunshine Millions (equivalent to a Grade 2 Stakes Race): Breeders’ Cup Race: Win: 20 points Place: 15 points Show: 10 points

■ Grade 1 Stakes Race: Win: 15 points Place: 10 points Show: 5 points

■ Grade 2 Stakes Race: Win: 5 points Place: 3 points Show: 2 points

■ Grade 3 Stakes Race: Win: 3 points Place: 2 points Show: 1 point

Win: 5 points Place: 3 points Show: 2 points

■ Other Florida-bred Signature Race Days (equivalent to a Grade 3 Stakes Race):

(The Florida Million, Florida Cup, Florida Stallion Stakes Series): Win: 3 points Place: 2 points Show: 1 point

■ Open-Company Stakes ($50,000 + Purse) Points for WIN ONLY: Win: 2 points

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By MICHAEL COMPTON

There were no disturbances for Florida-bred Turbulent

Descent en route to earning her fourth graded stakes score in last month’s Test Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

The daughter of Congrats, bred by Ocala Stud, crossed the wire 3¾ lengths ahead of fellow Sunshine State product Pomeroys Pistol in the Aug. 6 fixture, but the overpowering manner in which she dispatched her seven rivals suggested a far greater winning margin for owners Blinkers On Racing Stable, William Strauss, David Aurelio, et al.

A $160,000 OBS April graduate, Turbulent Descent rated in fourth early under regular rider David Flores. She advanced steadily to the leaders on the far turn and rolled past pacesetter Roman Treasure down the stretch, stopping the timer in 1:24.17 for seven furlongs.

“There’s not enough you can say—it’s a breathtaking race,” said winning trainer Mike Puype. “She’ll take on any horse out there at this distance. It puts her right to the top of the division. She’s the favorite to win the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint.”

Turbulent Descent has now earned $828,350. Puype said that Turbulent Descent would return to her home base at Del Mar following the Test and likely won’t race again before the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Nov. 4 at Churchill Downs.

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Florida-bred juvenile Fort Loudon rallied for a victory in the first leg of the Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder.

Under Luis Jurado, Fort Loudon made a strong, five-wide move and drew clear late in the stretch to win the Dr. Fager Stakes by 1 1/4 lengths on a sloppy track.

Owned by Fred and Jane Brei of Jacks or Better Farm in Reddick, the colt is by Journeyman Stud stallion Awesome of Course and is trained by Stanley Gold.

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FTBOA Pursuant to Article XIII, Section 1 of the FTBOA Bylaws, the nominating committee recommended five (5) nominees for consideration by the board during its meeting on June 30, 2011.

After a review of the committee’s report, the board recommended the following slate of five (5) candidates: 1) Craig Bernick; 2) Sheila DiMare; 3) Diane Parks; 4) George Russell; and 5) Eddie Woods. Each candidate has agreed to run and serve as an FTBOA director. While the FTBOA Bylaws also provide for the nomination of candidates by member petitions, no such petitions were filed.

As a result, the five (5) candidates named above for the five (5) director vacancies are unopposed, and no formal vote will be necessary.

22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

MARC MANNING PHOTO

íľŚ CRAIG BERNICK Bernick took over as president and chief operating officer of Glen Hill Farm in 2008. He is owner Leonard Lavin’s grandson. Lavin acquired the 400-acre farm in 1966, and the farm has produced numerous leading stakes horses through the years. Glen Hill’s colors have been carried by Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner One Dreamer, as well as her sire Relaunch, and the likes of Top Rung, Star of the Crop and many others.

This year, Glen Hill Farm is represented by Floridabred Coil, a son of Point Given bred by the farm, and winner of this year’s Haskell Invitational (G1) at Monmouth Park. Glen Hill Farm campaigns multiple 2011 stakes winner Banned, who most recently won the Del Mar Derby (G2).

Bernick is a former Alberto-Culver executive and Tulane University graduate who learned the Thoroughbred business from Lavin, longtime Glen Hill farm manager Hap Proctor and farm trainer Tom Proctor.

Growing up, Bernick spent holidays at the Ocala farm. He attended races with his family and always had a passion for the industry. These days, Bernick oversees Glen Hill’s far-reaching racing operation—which has divisions at Tampa Bay

Downs and Gulfstream Park, Keeneland and Churchill Downs, Arlington Park and this year at Del Mar—and also is in charge of the breeding division, which includes planning matings and buying and selling of horses at auction and privately. Glen Hill breeds about 30 Florida-breds a year at the farm.

íľŚ SHEILA DIMARE Sheila DiMare and her husband, Jim, have owned and operated Rising Hill Farm in Ocala since 1985. With Sheila serving as farm manager, the DiMares have developed Rising Hill Farm into one of the most successful operations in the industry.

The DiMares, who race under the name J.D. Farms, have bred and raised approximately 30 stakes winners, including Grade 1-winning millionaire Captain Squire, recent turf star Bim Bam, Florida-bred champion and Spinster Stakes (G1) winner Plenty of Light, graded stakes winners El Cielo, Light Dancer, Wise Answer, Dansetta Light and many others.

The DiMares are consistently among the state’s leading breeders. They register between 45-60 Florida-bred foals each year.

DiMare served as a director on the boards of Florida Equine Publications Inc. and the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. In addition, she has served as vice president of the Florida Thoroughbred Farm Managers and serves on the Marion County Extension Equine Program Advisory Committee and is on the Board of Race Track Chaplaincy of America Inc., Ocala Council.

FILE PHOTO

There are five (5) director vacancies to be filled in 2011.

íľŚ DIANE PARKS Diane Parks is a self-professed Florida farm girl, having grown up on a cattle ranch in Ocala. Having been around horses all her life, the transition to the Thoroughbred business was an easy one when she married her late husband Scott Dudley in 1970. Dudley was the son of

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2011 Board Candidate Biographies

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íľŚ GEORGE RUSSELL Born and raised in south Florida, George Russell first visited the Ocala area in 1971. He and his wife, Karen, were impressed with the area’s beauty, the slower paced lifestyle and the many beautifully manicured horse farms. In 1987 they purchased 158 acres on 225A and established Rustlewood Farm.

Their initial purchase of four yearling fillies from neighbor Elmer Heubeck yielded Rustlewood’s first stakes winner. All Considered won the I Guarantee Stakes at Gulfstream Park and went on to produce a

number of winners for the Russells, including Consider the Source, winner of the 2005 My Dear Girl Division of the Florida Stallion Stakes.

In addition to these black-type winners, Rustlewood has also bred, raised and/or raced stakes horses All Milady, All in the Book, Blue Pepsi Lodge, Inside Affair, as well as multiple Grade 1 winner Chaposa Springs, Grade 1 winner You and I, Group 2 winner Distinctly North, Grade 2 stakes winner Mach Ride and multiple graded stakes-placed Pat N Jack.

Russell is the founder and current President of Russell Engineering, Inc. He is a past Chairman of the Board and current board member of the Florida Transportation Builders’Association (FTBA). He currently serves on the board of the FTBA Scholarship Fund and the Ocala Thoroughbred Racing Association.

íľŚ EDDIE WOODS Eddie Woods, a native of Meath, Ireland, made his way to Ocala/Marion County in 1986, because, as he says, he needed a job. At one-time a steeplechase jockey, Woods established the 240-acre Eddie Woods Training Center in 1993 and since then has played an integral role in developing some of the top racehorses in the industry.

Graduates of Woods’ training program include champions Big Brown, winner of the 2008 Kentucky Derby and Florida Derby, Commentator, Midnight Lute and Left Bank. Recently, he is represented by stakes-winning graduates Union Rag, winner of the Saratoga Special, Rattlesnake Bridge, Midnight Interlude and Weemissfrankie.

Close to 200 head go through Woods’ training program each year and he also breeds a few Florida-bred horses.

Woods is a perennial leading juvenile consignor.

When the 2010 sales statistics were tallied up, Woods was once again the leading juvenile consignor in North America. To earn the spot, Wood sold 82 head for a total of $8,662,200 last year. â– CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

Jack Dudley, who raced 1956 Florida-bred Kentucky Derby winner Needles with partner Bonnie Heath as D & H Stable.

Shortly after their marriage, Scott and Diane Dudley moved to Dudley Farm and took over managing the operation.

After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in education, Diane taught for 10 years at Forest High School in Ocala. Shortly thereafter, she began helping Scott manage Dudley Farm and it soon became a full-time partnership. The commercial operation enjoyed substantial success over the years.

The Dudleys were thrust into the limelight in the spring of 1997 when Florida-bred Silver Charm, bred by clients Mary Lou and Gordon Wootton and raised at Dudley farm, won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, while finishing second in the Belmont Stakes of the Triple Crown Series. The Dudleys were great ambassadors for the Florida Thoroughbred industry, being featured in stories in USA Today and during the ABC coverage of the Triple Crown races. Diane is married to Jerry Parks of Parks Equine Insurance.

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Special Status I

Leading the way for Adena Springs is Florida-bred graded stakes winner Bay to Bay. The 4-year-old bay filly by Sligo Bay (Ire) out of the With Approval mare Bala is having the best season of her career. The turf specialist, raced by Robert Smithen, captured the Nassau Stakes (G2) at Woodbine on June 4. She bested Never Retreat by two lengths with Valli With a Vow finishing third. Winning time for the mile on a yielding turf was 1:36.48.

Five weeks later, Bay to Bay and Never Retreat switched finishing positions in the Dance Smartly Stakes (G2) at Woodbine. Bay to Bay finished second with Mekong Melody third in the nine-furlong turf test. Trainer Brian Lynch then shipped Bay to Bay to Saratoga. There she posted a good third to Zagora (FR) in the Diana Stakes (G1) on July 30.

On a win, two seconds and one third in five starts to date, Bay to Bay has banked $313,154.The winner of the 2009 Natalma Stakes (G3) at Woodbine and 2010 American 1000 Guineas Stakes at Arlington Park,

MICHAEL BURNS PHOTO

Adena Springsʼ Florida-bred Bay To Bay, Frank Stronach (inset)

ADENA SPRINGS

COURTESY FRANK STRONACH

By JO ANN GUIDRY n the Thoroughbred industry, a good benchmark of success is the number of stakes winners bred by a breeder.

For 2011, a quartet of Florida breeders are tied for the top spot in that category with five stakes winners each through Aug. 31. That elite group is comprised of Adena Springs, Bridlewood Farm/Arthur I. Appleton, Live Oak Stud and Eugene Melnyk. Taking it a step higher up the breeding success ladder, Bridlewood Farm/Arthur I. Appleton and BryLynn Farm are tied for the lead by graded stakes winners with three each. It should be noted that BryLynn Farm has bred a total of three stakes winners to date this season, all of them graded stakes winners: Adios Charlie, Aikenite and Teaks North.

Just behind the top quartet, a trio of breeders has to date posted four stakes winners each. Making up this group are Gilbert G. Campbell, Jacks Or Better Farm and Ocala Stud.

Of these breeders, Ocala Stud is represented by two graded stakes winners and Campbell by one graded stakes winner.

Here’s a look at the leading breeders of 2011 Florida-bred stakes winners through the end of August.

24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

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A quartet of Florida breeders leads the way by number of 2011 Florida-bred stakes winners through August 31.

LEADING FLORIDA BREEDERS

By Number of 2011 Florida-bred Stakes Winners (Through August 31, 2011)

LEADING FLORIDA BREEDERS

By Number of 2011 Florida-bred Graded Stakes Winners (Through August 31, 2011)

■ Adena Springs –5 ■ Bridlewood Farm/Arthur I. Appleton –5 ■ Live Oak Stud –5 ■ Eugene Melnyk –5 ■ Gilbert G. Campbell –4 ■ Jacks Or Better Farm –4 ■ Ocala Stud –4

■ Bridlewood Farm/Arthur I. Appleton – 3 ■ BryLynn Farm - 3

Bay to Bay has career earnings to date of $641,161.

In addition to graded stakes winner Bay to Bay, Adena Springs is to date also represented by Florida-bred stakes winners Buff Daddy, Immortal Eyes, Royal Currier and Sweet Gladys. In partnership with Gary L. Aiken, Adena Springs is also represented by Florida-bred stakes winner Callmethesqueeze.

Also by Sligo Bay (Ire), Buff Daddy won the Marquis Downs Handicap. Veteran campaigner Immortal Eyes has won the Webb Snyder Stakes, CharlesTown Invitational Dash Handicap, Chesapeake Stakes and West Virginia Legislative Chairman’s Cup Handicap. Royal Currier scored in the Anderson Fowler Stakes and Sweet Gladys won the Queen Stakes. Callmethesqueeze notched a win in the Sweettrickydancer Stakes.

BRIDLEWOOD FARM/ARTHUR I. APPLETON

Florida-bred Doubles Partner was bred by Bridlewood Farm

PALMER PHOTO

The legacy of the late Arthur I. Appleton, who established Bridlewood Farm in 1977, is still very much evident at the racetrack today. In 2011, Appleton is represented by Florida-bred graded stakes winners Birdrun and Doubles

Partner. Bridlewood Farm is represented by Florida-bred graded stakes winner May Day Rose, as well as by stakes winners Indian Assault and Turbo Compressor.

Birdrun, a 5-year-old horse by Birdstone out of the Jolie’s Halo mare Run Like Martha, scored a decisive upset in the Brooklyn Handicap (G2) on June 10 at Belmont Park. Birdrun took the lead out of the gates in the 12-furlong test, never to give it up. The Preston Stables colorbearer set cruising fractions of :24.81, :49.71, 1:13.88 and 1:38.21 to set himself up for the win. Birdrun crossed the finish line in 2:28.24. He won by three and three-quarter lengths over 2010 Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Dosselmeyer with Alma d’Oro in third.

In his previous race just prior to the Brooklyn Handicap (G2), Birdrun has finished second by a neck to Dosselmeyer in the One Count Stakes at Belmont Park.

Birdrun also posted a second in the Greenwood Cup Stakes in his next outing following the Brooklyn Handicap. To date, Birdrun has banked $153,750 this season with career earnings of $412,944.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 25

Special Status

Live Oak Studʼs Florida-bred Brilliant Speed

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Florida-bred graded stakes winner Doubles Partner is by Rock Hard Ten out of Serena’s Sister, by Rahy.

Serena’s Sister is a full sister to champion Serena’s Song. But the name Doubles Partner is also a clever nod to professional tennis champions, sisters Serena and Venus Williams.

Doubles Partner captured the second graded stakes of his career when he won the Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) on March 19. The 4-year-old bay colt was a neck better than Rahystrada with Voodoo Swinge third. Winning time on the turf for the eight and a half furlongs was 1:40.67.

Owned by WinStar Farm LLC, Doubles Partner also posted a third to Get Stormy in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 7. The Todd Pletcher trainee has earned to date this season $140,470. The winner of the 2010 American Turf Stakes (G2), Doubles Partner has career earnings to date of $353,960.

May Day Rose, is to date a two-time Florida-bred graded stakes winner, in 2011. The 3-year-old Rockport Harbor filly began the season in winning fashion. On January 9, she posted a wire-to-wire win in the SantaYsabel Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita. May Day Rose bested Bluegrass Chatter by a length and a quarter with Scarlet Starlet in third. Winning time for the eight and a half furlongs on Santa Anita’s new dirt track was 1:42.81.

Next up was a road trip to Oaklawn Park and a victory in the Instant Racing Stakes on April 16. Carrying

26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

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the silks of owner Kaleem Shah, May Day Rose won by three-quarters of a length over Hearts On Fire with Dixie City third. She covered the mile in 1:38.25.

Back in sunny California, May Day Rose found the winner’s circle again in the Railbird Stakes (G3) on May 21 at Hollywood Park. She made it look easy, notching a win by three and a quarters length over Big Tiz with Pedaltothemedal third. Winning time for the seven furlongs was 1:22.26 May Day Rose, who is out of the multiple stakesproducing Pine Bluff mare May Day Bluff, has to date this season earned $207,425. Her career bankroll totals $331,980.

Also representing Bridlewood Farm are stakes winners IndianAssault and Turbo Compressor. IndianAssault won the Lafayette Stakes at Evangeline Downs and Turbo Compressor tallied a win in the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga.

LIVE OAK STUD

Grade I stakes winner Brilliant Speed is the star of Live Oak Stud’s quintet of 2011 Florida-bred stakes winners. Completing the group are stakes winners I Am Awesome, Saintly Spirit, Slews Answer and Stradivinsky.

Raced by Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Plantation, Brilliant Speed gained recognition in a big way in the spring. After running his most recent races on the turf, Brilliant Speed went off at odds of 19-1 in the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) on April 16. But he apparently took

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MATT GOINS PHOTO

a liking to the Keeneland Polytrack, closing with a rush to win by a neck over Twinspired. He stopped the clock for the nine furlongs in 1:50.92.

Trained by Tom Albertrani, Brilliant Speed would later post a third to Ruler On Ice in the Belmont Stakes (G1). By Dynaformer out of the Gone West mare Speed Succeeds, Brilliant Speed had earlier in the season posted seconds in the Hallandale Beach Stakes and Dania Beach Stakes, both on the turf. His seasonal earnings to date total $615,000 with a career tally of $640,750.

I Am Awesome, a 6-year-old gelding by Awesome Again, won the Wheat City Stakes at Assiniboia Downs and Marathon Series Stakes at Turf Paradise. Saintly Spirit won the Lady’s Secret Stakes at Les Bois Park and Slews Answer captured the Vinery Turf Classic Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs. Stradivinsky, still going strong at 8, won the Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint Stakes.

EUGENE MELNYK

Eugene Melnyk, who owns Ocala-based Winding Oaks Farm, is represented by a pair of 2011 Floridabred graded stakes winners in Stratford Hill and Tamarind Hall. In addition, he is also represented as a breeder by Florida-bred stakes winners Bridgetown, Clement Rock and Queen Street Beach.

Stratford Hill, who campaigns for Melnyk Racing Stables, has posted four straight wins to date this season. The 4-year-old colt by A.P. Indy out of Harmony

Lodge, by Hennessy, got the skein underway with a maiden win at Gulfstream Park on January 15. He added another pair of wins at Gulfstream Park before being shipped to Keeneland. In the Shakertown Stakes (G3) on April 16, Stratford Hill made it four in a row with a half-length tally over Grand Adventure. His winning time for the turf test over five and a half furlongs was 1:03.90.Trained by Todd Pletcher, Stratford Hill has earned $158,880 to date this season.

Tamarind Hall made her stakes debut not only a winning one, but a graded stakes score as well.

In Belmont Park’s Bed O’Roses Handicap (G3) on July 3, Tamarind Hall started as a 15- longshot and finished as a graded stakes winner. The 4-year-old Graeme Hall chestnut filly took the lead at the quarter pole and won by five and a quarter lengths over Kid Kate.

Winning time for the seven furlongs was 1:23.82.

Originally raced by Melnyk Racing Stables, Tamarind Hall was claimed twice, then sold privately and now races for Eklektikos. Trained by Jeremiah Englehart, Tamarind Hall has seasonal earnings to date of $149,580.

Bridgetown, Clement Rock and Queen Street Beach all also race for Melnyk Stables. Bridgetown won the Turf Dash Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and Troy Stakes at Saratoga. Clement Rock tallied wins in the Charlie Barley Stakes and Toronto Cup Stakes, both at Woodbine. Queen Street Beach scored a win in Woodbine’s Deputy Minister Stakes. ■

Winding Oaks Farmʼs Florida-bred Bridgetown

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Eugene Melnyk (above) and Charlotte Weber (center)

THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 27

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Florida... the Best State for Business

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

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From coast to coast, Florida’s tax-friendly, pro-business environment is poised and ready to attract new companies and create new employment opportunities.

No tax on stallion seasons.

No personal state income tax.

No individual capital gains tax.

National leader in veterinary and equine research.

Ranked third in the U.S. for number of horses and size of horse industry.

Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt.

Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder.

Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms.

Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities.

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160 Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Adam Putnam, Commissioner 850-921-7916 • Fax 850-922-0374 e-mail: michael.ryshouwer@freshfromflorida.com 407 S. Calhoun • 427-A Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

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Formula for S Florida breeders Fred Brei and Harold Queen capture top prizes on Juvenile Showcase day at Calder

By MICHAEL COMPTON

he process of producing young racehorses can take many turns. Just ask any breeder or owner with lofty aspirations of stakes success.

From countless variables that influence breeding decisions to inherent gambles and risks in the auction ring and at the racetrack, the path to weekend glory is anything but a straight line.

Don’t tell that to Florida breeders Fred and Jane Brei and Harold Queen, though. Their respective operations obviously have a knack for developing top juveniles, and that point was driven home once more on Aug. 27 when their homebreds Fort Loudon and Drama Queen emerged victorious in the second legs of the Florida Stallion Stakes series at Calder Casino and Race Course.

Jacks or Better Farm and trainer Stanley Gold are becoming synonymous with juvenile success. After launching the careers of Floridabred Eclipse Award winner Awesome Feather and multiple stakes winner Jackson

Florida breeders Harold Queen (left) and Fred Brei

30 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

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T

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Success Bend at Calder in recent years, the combination is back this year with another talented 2-year-old in Fort Loudon, winner of this year’s Affirmed division of the FSS. The son of Journeyman Stud stallion Awesome of Course is now one step closer to a sweep of the series when the final legs of the FSS are held Oct. 15 during Calder’s Festival of the Sun. Jacks or Better and Gold swept the series in 2009 with Jackson Bend and the fillies division in 2010 with Awesome Feather.

Fort Loudon’s victory, his third straight, has the team eyeing sweep once more.

“You can pretty much be sure you’ll see Fort Loudon in the In Reality (the final leg of the series),” said Gold.

Although it took Fort Loudon four starts to break his maiden, he did so in spectacular fashion, crushing eight others by 10 lengths. He followed that effort with a game score over stablemate Argentine Tango in the Dr. Fager division of the FSS Aug. 6.

Fort Loudon raced close to the pace early in the Affirmed. He grabbed command at the head of the lane and kicked clear of the field. He was kept to task in the late stages and just as he did in the Dr. Fager earlier in August, held Argentine Tango safe approaching the wire, winning by two lengths. He stopped the timer for the seven furlongs in 1:26.75. Gary Aiken’s Floridabred Kings Over, a son of Trippi, finished third. Gentlemans Code, the early pacesetter, tired to fourth. see Juvenile Showcase next page

THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 31

Juvenile Showcase

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“He ran the same race as last time except he sat a little closer to the pace because he was sharper,” said winning rider Luis Jurado. “That is a good thing since we wanted to be a little more forwardly placed. I knew that Argentine Tango would be chasing us through the stretch, but just like last time, we were able to out-kick him.”

Much like the Breis, Harold Queen’s breeding operation and trainer David Fawkes have been on quite a roll in recent years as well with the likes of Florida-bred Big Drama, the 2008 FSS champion, who would go on to win last year’s Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and an Eclipse Award as champion sprinter and his stakes-winning younger brother Little Drama.

Queen’s homebred Queen Drama seems intent on

You can pretty much be sure you’ll see Fort Loudon (below) “ in the In Reality (the final leg of the series) ” —trainer Stanley Gold.

carrying on the family tradition of winning big races.

Big Drama’s half-sister by Queen’s stallion Burning Roma, who stands at Rising Hill Farm, ran down Jacks or Better’s Redbud Road to score a dramatic victory in the Susan’s Girl division.

Just when it appeared Redbud Road, winner of the

32 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

Desert Vixen division Aug. 6, was on her way to chalking up the Susan’s Girl division as well, Queen Drama set sail after the leader. The two runners hooked up inside the last sixteenth of a mile and hit the wire together in the most exciting finish on the Juvenile Showcase card. The photo finish picture revealed Queen Drama the winner by the narrowest of margins. Awesome Belle, a stablemate of the runner-up, finished third. Queen Drama covered the seven furlongs in 1:27.16.

“She’ll go right into the My Dear Girl (the final leg of the FSS for fillies) with no race in between,” Queen said.

“Fred Brei and I run into each other a lot in Ocala. We have training barns next to each other at Nelson Jones Farm. They’ve been tough to beat, but we got there today.

“It’s quite a family,” Queen added, referring to Big Drama and Little Drama, who are out of last year’s Florida Broodmare of theYear Riveting Drama. “We’ve got a yearling filly, also by Burning Roma, coming up.”

Unlike her brother Big Drama, Queen Drama does her best running from off the pace. She finished second to Redbud Road in the Desert Vixen division, closing fast from the back of the pack. It was that same late-running style that carried her to her latest win.

“This filly is a very strong finisher,” said winning

JIM LISA PHOTOS

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rider Daniel Centeno, “so the farther we go the better chance she has. I knew the favorite (Redbud Road) would finish well too, so I just stayed right behind her and when Saez moved at the three-eighths pole I had to follow them. I would have preferred to wait a little longer, but like I said, she’s a strong finisher.”

Queen purchased Riveting Drama for $36,000 at the 1996 OBS March juvenile sale. She never raced, but has made up for it in the breeding shed. In addition to the aforementioned stakes runners, she is also the dam of stakes winner Drama’s Way and stakes-placed Coffee Can. Florida-breds also made their presence known in other stakes on the Juvenile Showcase program. Florida-bred Midnight Serenade proved much the best in the $75,000 Seacliff Stakes (includes $20,000 FTBOA Funds). The son of Bandini hit the wire nearly three lengths to the good of Burning Time, another homebred for Queen. Midnight Serenade, who is not eligible for the FSS, covered the mile in 1:42.09. He is a homebred for Leanne Robbins.

“There’s a race for him here in three weeks ($100,000 Foolish Pleasure Stakes),” said winning trainer Steve DiMauro. “He’s a Florida-bred and the owner lives here and likes to race here, so that’s probably they way we’ll go.”

Florida-bred Citizen Advocate defeated fellow Sunshine State product Sweet and Vicious by three-quarters of a length to win the $75,000 Catcharisingstar Stakes (includes $20,000 FTBOA Funds) at five furlongs on the turf. Bred by Peter Vegso Racing Stable, the daughter of Proud Citizen was claimed for $40,000 two starts back and now races for White Hall Lane Farm.

“My dad’s got a great eye (for claiming horses),’ said

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David Vivian Jr., son and assistant to trainer David Vivian. “The sky is the limit with her. She’s very special.”

Frolic’s Revenge, appropriately enough, won the $75,000 Lindsay Frolic Stakes (includes $20,000 FTBOA Funds). The winner’s dam, stakes winner Stormy Frolic, is out of Lindsay Frolic, for whom the race was named.

Under Juan Leyva, Frolic’s Revenge won the one mile distance in 1:42.06. The Stride Rite Racing homebred is conditioned by Milton Wolfson, who has trained

She’ll (Queen Drama, above) go right into the “ My Dear Girl with no race in between. Fred Brei and I run into each other a lot in Ocala. We have training barns next to each other at Nelson Jones Farm. They’ve been tough to beat, but we got there today. —Harold Queen

”

three generations of homebreds from the family, including Stormy Frolic and Lindsay Frolic.

“I pretty much knew all along that she wanted the two turns, but this was her first opportunity to try it,” said Wolfson. “That’s the way her mother was, and turf will be fine, mud even better. We’ll look at options, including the Brave Raj Stakes (Sept. 17). It’s quite a family.”

Also on the program, Musical Flair, a son of Songandaprayer, beat Gil Campbell’s Florida-bred Martini Madness in the $75,000 Fasig-Tipton Turf Dash (includes $20,000 FTBOA Funds). Musical Flair was a $47,000 OBS March graduate. ■

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FLORIDA STALLION STAKES

Brei’s Homebreds Are

By NICK FORTUNA red Brei of Jacks or Better Farm in Reddick has found great success in recent years in Calder’s Florida Stallion Stakes, having swept the three-race open division in 2009 with Florida-bred Jackson Bend and the three-race fillies’ division last year with Florida-bred Awesome Feather.

This year, Brei has another strong crop of juveniles who are cashing in at Calder. On Aug.8, Floridabred Fort Loudon rallied for a 1¼-length victory in the $75,000 Dr. Fager Stakes, the first leg of the open division, and Florida-bred Redbud Road won by the same margin in the $75,000 Desert Vixen division, the first leg of the fillies’ division.

Both horses are trained by Stanley Gold and were sired by Journeyman Stud stallion Awesome of Course, who also sired Awesome Feather, the Eclipse Award winner as

F

the top 2-year-old filly of 2010.

The Florida Stallion Stakes are open to juveniles sired by stallions who stood in Florida during the 2008 breeding season, regardless of where the foals were born.

In the Dr. Fager, Fort Loudon ran in fifth place early under Luis Jurado before making a strong, five-wide move into the stretch and driving clear late. He stopped the clock for six furlongs on a sloppy track in 1:13.55.

Argentine Tango, a son of Black Mambo and another homebred for Brei, closed quickly to be second, 1½ lengths clear of For Oby, a son of Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds stallion With Distinction bred by Pedro Maestre. Fort Loudon paid $22.80 to win as the fourth choice in the field of 11. The favored Boltzapper, a son of Holy Ground bred and co-owned by Chester Bishop, was fourth.

“I was concerned when (Jurado) took him

Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm’s strong crop cashing in at Calder

34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

back off those horses that went to the front,” Gold said of Jurado and Fort Loudon. “You don’t know if they’re going to come back, but he rode a good, heady race and deserves a lot of the credit for the win. (Fort Loudon) came flying in the stretch but actually got bothered by a horse that came out on him. That horse (Argentine Tango) got shut off at the start, but he came running too. It’s been a great day.”

Fort Loudon entered the Dr. Fager off a 10-length score in a $39,000 maiden special weight race at Calder on July 16. The colt, out of the Talc mare Lottsa Talc, has two wins from five starts for $77,580.

In the Desert Vixen, Redbud Road moved swiftly from the middle of the pack toward the front while going around the turn and stuck his head in front at the top of the stretch. She edged clear late under righthanded pressure from jockey Luis Saez and stopped the clock for six furlongs in 1:14.46.

Redbud Road won as the favorite in the field of eight. The filly, out of the Tactical Advantage mare Ladyinareddress, has won

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Awesome, of Course

three consecutive starts after a second-place career debut at Calder in May and has earned $138,605. Redbud Road owns two stakes victories, having taken the $95,000 J J’s Dream Stakes by half a length over another Brei homebred, Awesome Belle on July 2.

Saez said he had his pick of horses for the Desert Vixen, but the choice was obvious.

“I was very fortunate to have ridden four of these fillies and won last time they ran, but this filly stood out to me and was the most impressive, so I stuck with her,” he said. “She ran a perfect race but has a habit of waiting on horses when she makes the lead. I have to ride her hard in the stretch, but that’s how she gets it done.”

Queen Drama, a daughter of Burning Roma and a homebred for Ocala’s Harold Queen, finished second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Montessa G, a daughter of Ocala Stud Farm stallion Montbrook and a homebred for Virginia and James E. Gamble.

The Florida Stallion Stakes continue Aug. 27 with a pair of seven-furlong races worth

$125,000 apiece – the Affirmed division for males and the Susan’s Girl for fillies.

Also on the FSS card at Calder, Florida-bred Black Diamond Cat got his second consecutive stakes victory, coming from just off the pace to score by 4½ lengths in the $55,000 Major Moran Stakes.

Black Diamond Cat has won three consecutive races, including the $75,000 Bob

•

Umphrey Turf Sprint at Calder on July 4, a race he won by a nose after it was moved from the turf to the main track because of wet weather. For his career, he has six wins from 27 starts and $187,684 in earnings for trainer Larry Bates and Bluestone Thoroughbreds LLC. Black Diamond Cat, out of the Miswaki mare Sweet Glory, was bred by Mike Eckman and Mark and Debbie Ravenscraft. He paid $12 to win as the fourth choice in a field of eight. The 4-year-old, gelded son of Journeyman Stud stallion Wildcat Heir finished the 6½-furlong sprint in 1:18.42 with Juan Leyva aboard. ■ Journeyman Stud stallion Awesome of Course, sire of Fort Loudon (above) and Redbud Road (opposite page).

The 2011 Florida Stallion Stakes Schedule: October 15 - Festival of the Sun $300,000 In Reality $300,000 My Dear Girl

2 year olds 2-year-old fillies

8.5 furlongs 8.5 furlongs THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 35

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Demand

By MICHAEL COMPTON

n a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale bolstered by the purchases of John Ferguson, agent for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, Florida-breds sold well during the two-day offeringAug. 8-9.A total of 12 Sunshine State products changed hands for a gross of $3.19 million.

Over the sale’s two sessions, a total of 103 yearlings sold for a gross of $32.89 million, compared to 118 head sold at the 2010 sale for a gross of $32.51 million. The sale average was up 16 percent from $275,551 last year to $319,340 this year. The median price rose four percent to $250,000.

Ferguson signed for 13 yearlings during the two days for $8.53 million, accounting for 25.9 percent of the overall gross. Among his purchases on the second night was hip No. 130, the top-selling Florida-bred of the sale. The Bernardini colt sold for $725,000 as property of Hardacre Farm, Brookdale Sales, agent. The colt is out of the graded stakes-placed Unbridled’s Song mare Habiboo.

Other leading Florida-breds included hip No. 80, an A.P. Indy colt that brought $350,000 from Lothenbach Stables. From the family of classic winner and champion Afleet Alex and Unforgettable Max, the colt was consigned by Gainesway Farm, agent, and bred by Donald Dizney.

Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds went to $325,000 for a Florida-bred Bernardini colt consigned by Kaizen Sales, agent. Sold as hip No. 142, the colt, bred by Sally J. Anderson and Darley, is out of the unraced Northern Jove mare Jolie Boutique.

Hip No. 90, a Florida-bred by Hard Spun consigned

by Dapple Stud, agent, sold to Rabbah Bloodstock for $290,000. Melodee Hicks’ Hickstead Farm bred the colt, out of the A.P. Indy mare Campionessa, a daughter of Grade 1 stakes winner Pacific Squall.

I

During the sale’s opening session, six Florida-breds sold for a gross of $1.16 million. Bringing the highest price in the opening session were hip No. 8 and hip No. 48. Both sold for $300,000. The former, a Malibu Moon filly bred

by Peter Vegso and consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, sold to Ocala’s Glen Hill Farm. The filly, named Biorhythm, is produced from the stakes-winning Citidancer mare Mystic Rhythms and is a half-sister to stakes winners Mystic Soul and Mystic Chant.

Hip No. 48, a colt by Tapit out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Storminthegarden went to Mark Johnston. Sold as property of Whisper Hill Farm LLC, Sweezey and Partners, agent, the colt is from the family of Paradise Creek, Forbidden Apple, Wild Event and David Junior. The colt was bred by Bridlewood Farm.

Also selling during the first session was a $210,000 Florida-bred filly by Lemon Drop Kid, hip No. 24, consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent. Tory Chapman, agent, signed the ticket on the filly, who is out of the Grade 2 stakes winner Queenie Belle, by Bertrando.

Named Beyond Belle, the filly is a half-sister to Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1) winner Unrivaled Belle and was bred by Gary Seidler and Vegso.

Live Oak Plantation went to $200,000 for hip No. 79, a Florida-bred colt by Candy Ride (ARG)—Atlantic Frost, by Stormy Atlantic. The colt was bred by Bridlewood Farm.

Sheikh Mohammed purchased both of the $1.2 million sale toppers. On the first night, Ferguson signed for hip No. 56, a son of Medaglia d’Oro named Superfection. The colt is a half-brother to Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Super Saver and stakes winner Brethren. Ferguson also signed for hip No. 114, a Bernardini colt consigned by Mill Ridge Sales, agent. That colt is a half-brother to millionaire Havre De Grace. ■

Demand for

PHOTO BY JOE DIORIO

PHOTO BY Z

Florida-breds strong during Saratoga’s two-day sale

Agent for Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, John Ferguson (inset) purchased the top-selling Florida-bred, hip No. 130, for $725,000.

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AUGUST SALE

Average and Median

By MICHAEL COMPTON he opening session of the OBS August sale provided buyers ample opportunity to acquire select yearlings from a sale that has a proven track record of success.

“I think it was a solid day,” said Tom Ventura, OBS’s general manager and director of sales. “I was pleased with the good representation of buyers from all levels.”

The opening session grossed $4.18 million from 110 head sold, down from the 135 horses sold in last year’s select session for a gross of $4.83 million. The average was $38,009, up six percent from $35,841 last year.

The median price was $34,000, a gain of 30.1 percent compared with a $26,000 median price a year ago. The buyback percentage was 26.2 percent; it was 25.4 percent last year. A total of 32 horses brought $50,000 or more in the sale’s initial offering, compared with 31 last year.

“The median price was up significantly from last year,”

T

The saleʼs top seller was hip No. 115, a Florida-bred filly by Midnight Lute.

38 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

Ventura said. “Without a breakaway horse in the session, there was a lot of activity within the median range.”

Topping the select session at $110,000 was hip No. 115, a Florida-bred daughter of Midnight Lute consigned by Woodford Thoroughbreds, agent for CloverLeaf Farms II. The filly, who is produced from the stakes-placed Gold Fever mare Wasted Wisdom, was sold to Steve Venosa’s SGV Thoroughbreds. The filly is from the family of millionaire and multiple graded stakes winner Desert Code.

The second-highest price of the day was hip No. 118, a filly by Yes It’s True—Wildcard Cat, by Forest Wildcat, who went to Nick de Meric, agent, for $105,000.

The filly is out of a stakes-placed dam and is from the family of stakes winner Clever Kat. Earlier in the session, De Meric, as agent, also signed for hip No. 30, a Florida-bred filly by Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds stallion Belgravia out of

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Rise

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTOS

the Stormy Atlantic mare Maggies Storm for $80,000.

The filly, consigned by Richard and Linda Thompson’s Oak Vale Farm, is a half-sister to Florida champion and Grade 1 winner Comma to the Top. “We were hoping for a little more for her, she’s such a nice individual, but we’re satisfied,” said Oak Vale’s Linda Thompson. “I understand she was purchased for a racing stable. She’ll have a good shot.

We’re happy for her.”

Named Estreya, the filly is from a family of winners.

Topping the first open session was hip No. 459, a colt Linda and Richard She is from the first crop of yearlings by Belgravia, a black-type winner of two races as a juvenile and a son of by Lemon Drop Kid that brought $105,000 from Sal- Thompson, Amanda Thompson Gonzalez and lusto/Albina, agent. Consigned by Beth Bayer, agent, Gerado Gonzalez with Mr. Greeley.

The filly’s dam, Maggies Storm, has already pro- the colt is out of the stakes-winning Honor Grades mare Hip No. 30. duced Comma to the Top for the Thompsons. That son Secondary School.

Mersad Metanovic and trainer Jeff Bonde, agent, of Bwana Charlie won last year’s CashCall Futurity (G1) at Hollywood Park, the Generous Stakes (G3) on the went to $100,000 to secure the day’s second-highest turf, the Real Quiet Stakes and was second in the Santa priced yearling, hip No. 383. The colt by Political Force Anita Derby (G1) for owners Gary Barber, Roger Birn- was consigned by Select Sales, agent.

The highest-priced filly and the top-selling Floridabaum and Kevin Tsujihara en route to his title as bred in the session was hip No. 180, a filly by Scat Florida’s champion juvenile of 2010.

Some other notable purchases from the first day in- Daddy named Gotta Love Gold. Consigned by Sugar cluded hip No. 61, a Midnight Lute colt that sold to Hill LLC, agent, the filly sold to Sarazen Stable for Patrice Miller EQB Inc., agent for $87,000; hip No. 65, $68,000. She was bred in the Sunshine State by Emera colt by Flatter who also brought $87,000 from Buzz ald Pastures.

Hip No. 537, a Florida-bred colt by Journeyman Stud Chace, agent; hip No. 169, a Tiz Wonderful colt sold to Buttonwood Bloodstock LLC for $82,000; hip No. 63, stallion Wildcat Heir consigned by Summerfield, agent, a Florida-bred Pomeroy colt I think it was a solid day. I was pleased with the good representation of buyers that went to Dapple Bloodstock for $80,000; hip No. from all levels. The median price was up significantly from last year. Without a break137, a Horse Greeley colt, away horse in the session, there was a lot of activity within the median range.

—Tom Ventura, OBS’s general manager and director of sales sold to Becky Thomas for

“

”

$80,000; and hip No. 163, a Florida-bred filly by Winding Oaks Farm stallion Graeme Hall, was purchased for $80,000 by Ike and Dawn Thrash.

Average and median price improved during the first open session as well. A total of 212 horses changed hands during the first open session, grossing $2.63 million, compared with 246 head sold last year for $2.34 million. Average price rose 30.4 percent to $12,430 from $9,530 a year ago. Median price increased 38.5 percent to $9,000, compared to $6,500 in 2010.

went to Vision Racing and Sales for $85,000 to top the final session of the sale. The bay colt is out of Tiz What It Waz, by Tiznow.

For the two open sessions, 408 horses sold for a total of $4.56 million, compared with 475 horses that sold for $4.13 million a year ago. The average price was $11,182, up 28.4 percent from $8,712 in 2010, while the median price of $8,000 rose 45.4 percent from $5,500 last year. The buyback percentage was 24.4 percent; it was 25.1 percent a year ago. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 39

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After a bad break from the gate, Florida-bred Coil bests Preakness winner Shackleford with a determined stretch run in the Haskell Invitational

By NICK FORTUNA

hen Coil bobbled at the start of last month’s $1.02 million Haskell Invitational (G1) and was the slowest out of the gate, even his trainer, Bob Baffert, figured the race was lost. But with a stirring run down the Monmouth Park stretch, the Florida-bred colt earned his second graded stakes victory in thrilling fashion, besting Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Shackleford by a neck.

Coil, bred by Ocala’s Glen Hill Farm, is a son of Point Given, who won the Haskell in 2001 for Baffert.

The Hall-of-Fame conditioner has won New Jersey’s biggest race a record five times, including with War Emblem in 2002, Roman Ruler in 2005 and Lookin at Lucky last year.

But this year, it didn’t appear that Baffert’s star colt had a chance. He was last for most of the 11⁄8-mile race as Joe Vann led the field of eight 3-year-olds through a quarter-mile in 23.38 seconds and a half-mile in 47.02. The favored Shackleford, who stumbled at the start, ran in second place, with Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Ruler On Ice back in sixth.

As the field entered the final turn, jockey Martin Garcia sent Coil after the leaders four-wide, with Shackleford going three-wide to take over the lead

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In Haskell

“

He was ready at the break, just before the gate opened, he stepped back a bit, and that was that. I wasn’t planning on being that far back, but once that happened, I didn’t have a choice. I was sitting on a ton of horse turning for home. When I got to Shackleford, my horse kind of waited. I knew I had Shackleford, but my horse made it interesting.

—jockey Martin Garcia

”

from a tiring Joe Vann. Shackleford and jockey Jesus Castanon had a half-length lead over J J’s Lucky Train at the head of the stretch, with Coil close behind in third place and unleashing a powerful kick.

Coil was five-wide at the quarter pole and dueled with Shackleford down the stretch, prevailing under strong handling in 1:48.20.

“He didn’t break well, and at that point I thought the race was over,” Baffert said. “Down the backstretch, I thought he was going to have to be like his

42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

dad, Point Given, to win. In the stretch, when he was passing Shackleford, it was almost like I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Martin (Garcia) knows this horse. He knows him better than I do.”

Completing the order of finish were J J’s Lucky Train, Pants On Fire, Joe Vann, Astrology and Concealed Identity.

Garcia said he didn’t expect his horse to be last early.

“He was ready at the break,” Garcia said, “but just before the gate opened, he stepped back a bit, and that was that. I wasn’t planning on being that far back, but once that happened, I didn’t have a choice. I took him off the fence going up the backstretch because that didn’t seem to be the best place.

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“I was sitting on a ton of horse turning for home.

When I got to Shackleford, my horse kind of waited.

He tends to do that when he makes the lead. I just kept getting into him. I knew I had Shackleford, but my horse made it interesting.”

Castanon said he was proud of the effort turned in by Shackleford, who has had a strong 2011 campaign, including a runner-up finish in the Florida Derby (G1) and a fourth-place run in the Kentucky Derby (G1).

“I had a good trip,” he said. “He ran a good race, like he always does. This is the way he likes to run. He was sitting in a perfect spot. I was pleased with his effort. He gave me his best. When the other horse came up to me, my horse felt him and was fighting back.”

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Coil, owned by Karl Watson, Mike Pegram and Paul Weitman, has won four of his six starts for $748,560, including the Haskell’s $600,000 first prize. He made his stakes debut in the Affirmed Handicap (G3) in June, scoring a one-length victory, and then finished second in the Swaps Stakes (G2) on July 9, a head behind Dreamy Kid, after leading in the stretch.

The Haskell was his first start on dirt and his first race away from Hollywood Park. ■ DENVER PHOTOS

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The Haskell was the first start on dirt for Florida-bred Coil.

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Florida-bred colt wins by five lengths

Manicero Rides the Rail to Sixth Stakes Win

By NICK FORTUNA anicero took the shortest way home Aug. 20 at Calder, surging along the rail while entering the top of the stretch and powering his way to a five-length victory in the $75,000 Naked Greed Stakes. It was the sixth career stakes victory for the Florida-bred son of Journeyman Stud stallion Mass Media, who was making his two-turn debut.

The Naked Greed was originally carded as a 7½-furlong turf race but was moved to the fast main track because of wet weather and run at one mile. The race drew a full field of a dozen 3-year-olds, with four additional runners on the alsoeligible list, but after the surface switch, only nine runners went to the post.

Manicero was the second choice in the field but ran like an overwhelming favorite with Juan Leyva aboard for the first time. “(Trainer Leo Azpurua Jr.) told me that he’s been wanting to get this horse to go around two turns, suggesting that he

I felt confident that he “ would go two turns because of the way he won his races at seven-eighths and galloped out. I was really looking to try him on grass, but obviously he’s good on dirt.

Not many horses have won six stakes races by this time in their careers.

”

—trainer Leo Azpurua Jr.

JIM LISA PHOTO

M

would do well, given his pedigree,” Leyva said. “He was absolutely right because I had a ton of horse the entire trip.

This horse is a pleasure to ride. He lets you put him in the race and relaxes when necessary. I tested him going into the last turn to make sure he had some run in him before I put him up in a tight spot, and from there, I just had to wait for my opening.”

44 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

Manicero, bred by Gainesville’s Roberto Sanson, has won seven of his 10 career starts and earned $324,008 for Azpurua, who trains the horse for his father, Leo Azpurua Sr. Manicero got his first stakes win in the $125,000 Jack Price Juvenile at Calder in November and tallied three times at Tampa Bay Downs in the $70,000 Inaugural Stakes in December, the $68,000 Pasco Stakes in January and the $75,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore Stakes on April 9. He also won the $75,000 In Summation Stakes at Calder in May. Manicero had a rare poor performance in his most recent start, the $69,000 Unbridled Stakes at Calder in June, when he finished fourth and was demoted to sixth place because of interference.

None of those races was longer than seven furlongs, but Leo Azpurua Jr. said he was confident that his horse could handle the added distance after watching him win three stakes races at seveneighths of a mile.

“I felt confident that he would go two turns because of the way he won his races at seven-eighths and galloped out,” he said. “I was really looking to try him on grass, but obviously he’s good on dirt.

Not many horses have won six stakes races by this time in their careers.”

Decisive Moment, a homebred for Just for Fun Stables and a son of Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds stallion With Distinction, was favored after winning the $75,000 El Kaiser Stakes at Calder on July 30. He’s won three of his 12 starts for $595,010. ■ Florida-bred Manicero winning the Naked Greed Stakes.

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I Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.

FTBOA Annual Membership Meeting Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club For Information, Please Contact the FTBOA Office at 352/629-2160

I Friday, October 14, 2011 Annual Golf Classic Golden Hills Golf & Turf Club For Registration & Information, Please Contact the Golden Hills Golf and Turf Club at 352/629-7981

I Saturday, October 15, 2011 Florida Stallion Stakes My Dear Girl Florida Stallion Stakes In Reality Calder Race Course Festival of the Sun For Information, Please Contact Calder Casino & Race Course at 305/625-1311

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

I Tuesday - Wednesday, October 18-19, 2011 OBS Fall Mixed Sale For Information, Please Contact the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company at 352/237-2154

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION 801 S.W. 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 352-629-2160 • Fax 352-629-3603 Email: info@ftboa.com • www.ftboa.com

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CCrown R Thoroughbred

By AMANDA ROXBOROUGH wning a race horse was once regarded as an elitist privilege until the conception of syndicates and multi-partner organizations in the 1960s. In the last few decades, many top horses have been owned by syndicates or partnerships, notably the 2005 Epsom Derby winner Motivator, 2003 Kentucky Derby winner Funny Cide, 2008 Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown, as well as stakes winners Awesome Gem and Floridabred Aikenite.

To date, there are several hundred syndicates ranging in monetary entry levels from hundreds of dollars to hundreds of thousands dollars to get involved. Though the structure of owning a race horse varies in each business plan, Troy Levy’s Crown Racing, based in Croal Springs, Florida, aims to introduce Thoroughbred ownership to the masses.

Crown Racing offers all the thrills of ownership at levels to suit most enthusiasts. What makes the partnerships different than many other syndicates is that there are no monthly bills.

O

ROXBOROUGH PHOTOS

“It’s a one time investment for a lifetime of fun,” said Levy.

Troy Levy 46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

You may be wondering how this is possible.

Levy is dedicated to opening up the Thoroughbred industry to everyone, and as a proven horseman and successful businessman, he has created what he believes is a formula for success.

“My grandfather was passionate about Thoroughbred racing, and with my father I owned and trained standardbreds. I have always been involved at levels in the Thoroughbred industry and knew that’s where I was going to make my mark,” he said.

“From a background of being a stockbroker, I learned the benefits of investing in mutual funds and diversifying your investment provided a much safer and enjoyable time investing. From that thought process, I wanted to do that with the Thoroughbred business,” he added.

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Racing: for Everyone Ownership

Crown Racing’s one-time investment business plan is based on a carefully structured formula of keeping the reserves for all of the horse’s needs from purchase to racing.

“Becoming an owner in Crown Racing is attained by purchasing units, each valued at $10,000,” Levy said. “There is the option to purchase a percentage of a unit or as many units as you like. This makes you a lifetime owner in Crown Racing and the whole stable of horses, not just a share in one individual horse.”

The opportunity to own multiple or even a barn full of horses compared to a small percentage is what Crown Racing is bringing to life for every horse racing enthusiast that has sights on becoming an owner.

“What makes Crown Racing different from other syndicates and partnerships is the fact that we aren’t just having to cover the purchase and management costs and settling at that as a profitable goal for the business,” said Levy. “We have to make sure all the horses are profitable and racing at competi-

tive levels where they can win. It’s the whole on the same team and all the owners and trainers are in it together.” company that has to be profitable.”

A testament to Levy’s program is the atThe team that Levy has put together is based on what is most important to him; in- traction of long time horseman and owner tegrity for the horse and the owners of Crown Pierre Levesque.

“I was lucky enough to be involved in Racing. As a horseman himself, Levy has worked hard to build a level of trust and ded- racing at the top level in the past,” said ication within his team to commit to the Levesque. “I’ve had shares in Northern Dancer, The Minstrel, the syndication of owners of the stable.

“They’re getting a management team that Secretariat and L‘Enjolour. I got out of the is going to teach them I got out of the game, and now that I’ve met about the Thoroughbred business, but at Troy, I’m back in the game. His plan with Crown the same time they’re Racing is why I got back involved. The cost is affordable going to only have the upside of being an for anybody and it’s going to be a lot of fun. There’s a lot owner. They can enjoy of action in thoroughbred racing and Crown Racing is it from the minute they helping to provide that to everybody.—Pierre Levesque start participating in the sport. The integrity of the purchase of game, and now that I’ve met Troy, I’m back the racehorse is second to none. There is no in the game. His plan with Crown Racing is mark up on purchases, no monthly bills, so why I got back involved. The cost is affordable for anybody and it’s going to be a lot of it is the truest form of ownership.”

Levy encourages each partner to come out fun. There’s a lot of action in Thoroughbred to the barns as well as the races to truly get close racing and Crown Racing is helping to proto what matters the most, the love of the horse. vide that to everybody.”

With the one-year anniversary approachOne of Crown Racing’s team members is ing, Crown Racing has proven its ability to trainer Chuck Simon.

“I highly recommend Crown Racing’s succeed in 2011, with two wins from 10 program to all owners, both new and people starts. The body of the stable is fast apwho are currently in the industry,” Simon proaching their debuts with over half-a-dozen said. “The number one reason why is you’re highly regarded two-year-olds ready to run.

Levy is constantly building the stable and going to have multiple horses running, and that’s a big positive factor compared to just doesn’t shy away from all avenues of purowning one horse. With Crown Racing, you chases to create a profitable portfolio.

“There’s only one goal for Crown Racing can have a good shot at having a runner quite often, and let’s face it, that’s why you and that’s to be successful,” said Levy. “Our own a race horse. We want people to get the goal is to have a successful barn and get every positives and benefits of being an owner. I individual member of Crown Racing into the really like Troy’s concept of everyone being winner’s circle as many times as possible.” ■

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Vibration therapy helps strengthen horses’ bones, improve circulation, and promote hoof growth

By DENISE STEFFANUS

hole-body vibration therapy, the latest buzz word in human fitness programs, is now a trend in horse fitness. But, in actuality, vibration therapy isn’t new at all. In the 1960s, the Russian space program employed it to increase bone density in its cosmonauts to offset bone loss experienced during space orbit.

Since then, dozens of research studies in human medicine, mostly in Europe, have validated the ability of vibration training to promote fitness of bones, muscles, and connective tissues, especially in elderly patients, those suffering bone loss from cancer treatment, and women with osteoporosis. Other studies have documented improvement in athletic performance and promotion of a feeling of well-being from the production of neurochemicals in the brain during vibration therapy.

One of the principal researchers in human studies, Clinton Rubin, Ph.D., a professor and chair of biomedical engineering and director of the Center for Biotechnology at NewYork’s Stony Brook University, did some of his early experiments in sheep. Rubin subjected ewes to a gentle vibration to their hind legs for 20 minutes daily, five days per week, for one year.

At the end of the study, the ewes had about 30% more bone density in the treated legs.

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48 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

Rubin’s work shows that the application of extremely low-level, vertical vibration to animals and humans increases bone formation and encourages stem cells away from fat and toward bone. He believes vibration therapy may represent the much sought after “anabolic” stimulus in bone.

Rubin also found that individuals who cannot tolerate a typical exercise regimen may benefit from low-level vibration therapy.

SCIENTIFIC RESULTS

Whole-body vibration therapy has been available commercially in Europe since 1994, with the bulk of the scientific investigation done

by Italian physiologist Carmelo Bosco, Ph.D., who developed the NEMES platform. NEMES is short for neuromechanical stimulation.

Conditions treated in Europe with wholebody vibration therapy are: Strength and power training for athletes; Knee injuries involving the ligaments; Back problems; Osteoporosis; Neuromuscular disorders; Obesity (via hormonal effects) Poor circulation, including symptoms of diabetes; and Incontinence.

All the therapy entails is for the individual to stand on the vibrating platform for about 20 minutes per day as infrequently as three times a week. For greater results, the individual can exercise on the vibrating platform, if tolerated.

German and Russian elite athletes lift weights while standing on the platform to enhance their strength training.

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ADAPTING VIBRATION THERAPY TO HORSES

Horses, like humans, are subjected to vibration therapy by standing on a vibration platform for 10-15 minutes, several times a week. The gentle vibration is thought to produce not only physical results in horses, but it also seems to promote relaxation. Humans using vibration therapy report having a feeling of well being after each session, most likely due to an increase in the neurochemical serotonin.

One of Rubin’s major discoveries is that low-level vibration therapy stimulates the honeycomb trabecular bone in the condyles, the knuckles at the end of the long bones.

Condylar fractures are a significant cause of catastrophic breakdowns in Thoroughbreds.

Normally, the horse’s body repairs tiny stress cracks called microfractures during a process called bone remodeling. But when the body’s repair mechanism cannot keep up with the rate and extent of the damage incurred, bone begins to fail. A regimen of low-level vibration therapy during training and racing could strengthen the condyles and repair damage so they are more resistant to fracture.

Vibration therapy also could be used during layups to reduce loss of bone density and during rehabilitation to rebuild bone strength in preparation for return to training.

Well Armed (pictured) grew one inch of new hoof wall during 6-1/2 weeks of vibration therapy.

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Low-level vibration therapy causes rapid Kinsale King, who had quarter cracks in (30-50 per second) contractions of muscles. three of his four feet, without the aid of viThese contractions promote blood flow, bration therapy. which, in turn, promotes oxygenation of tisHoof growth most likely is related to ensues. Connective tissue also is stimulated by hanced circulation. If so, low-level vibration these rapid muscle contractions. therapy also could benefit horses with chronic Five to 10 minutes of low-level vibration laminitis and other persistent hoof problems. therapy can be used as a warm-up before competition without sapping energy from EQUINE STUDIES NEEDED the horse’s upcoming performance, plus it Anecdotal evidence of the benefits of vican promote relaxation to get the edge off a bration therapy in horses is convincing, but jittery horse. no formal clinical studies to support this evProminent horsemen who have used vibra- idence have been published. The benefits attion therapy on their horses—California trainer tributed to horses are extrapolated from and bloodstock agent Mary Knight, trainer Hoof growth most likely is related to enCarl O’Callaghan, and hanced circulation. If so, low-level vibration top owner Bill Casner— all have noticed that therapy also could benefit horses with chronic standing on the vibration laminitis and other persistent hoof problems. platform enhances hoof growth. Casner reported that 2009 Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1) winner human studies. Because each species is difWell Armed grew one inch of new hoof wall ferent, subtle differences in horses may exist during 61⁄2 weeks of vibration therapy. that need to be addressed to optimize the Knight’s horse Super Strut, who started vi- benefits of equine vibration therapy and to bration therapy with hoof problems, grew assure its safety.

Some questions these studies should seek 1.34 centimeters of hoof in 30 days during the winter, when hoof growth typically to answer are: slows to half its normal rate. O’Callaghan Does vibration therapy cause the same claimed he could not have trained 2010 effects in horses as it does in other Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) winner species?

What is the optimum frequency and amplitude of the vibration to cause an increase in bone density and other beneficial effects?

What should the treatment protocol entail—how many minutes per session and how many sessions per week would produce optimum benefits?

Would its use be more beneficial as preparation for entering training, an adjunct to training and racing, or an adjunct to layup and rehabilitation?

Does it cause any adverse effects?

Safety is another big question. On his website at Stony Brook, Rubin discusses extensively the adverse effects vibration can have on the human body. He writes: “Please also note that our work has brought us to this point following several decades of searching for the mechanical sig-

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ANDREW WATKINS PHOTOS

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Equine Care nal to which bone is responsive. It is important to emphasize that although this low-level intervention is considered safe and beneficial, other frequencies and amplitudes may cause damage to bone and connective tissues, and many amplitudes of vibration are considered pathogenic to the musculoskeletal (e.g., vertebral disc, cartilage, ligament, tendon), neurovestibular, and cardiovascular systems. One should always be concerned that ‘too much of a good thing’ may be true in mechanical stimulation, as well.”

These safety concerns also would apply to equine vibration therapy.

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Carl OʼCallaghan claimed he could not have trained 2010 Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-G1) winner Kinsale King (pictured), who had quarter cracks in three of his four feet, without the aid of vibration therapy.

BECOME A FUNDING NEEDED

Studies of this nature are expensive. Not only are a large number of horses needed, but sophisticated imaging equipment, such as en-

hanced computed tomography (CT) and powerful magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), also must be employed to produce these answers by detecting subtle changes in the study of horses’ bones and soft tissue.

Public funding for equine research is a fraction of what is spent for other species. A wide disparity exists between the United States De-

partment of Agriculture’s $2.3-billion budget for plant and livestock research—which excludes the horse—and the $3-million to $5-million from various sources spent on equine research each year.

Only through private support is equine research able to promote the health and welfare of the horse. ■

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse • www.ftboa.com

50 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

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352.732.8858 The Florida Horse is the official publication of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association www.ftboa.com • www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

Publisher: Richard Hancock • Editor in chief: Michael Compton Business manager: Patrick Vinzant • Art director: John Filer Administrative assistant: Beverly Kalberkamp

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Final Sponsors Named For Horse Fever his summer Marion Cultural Alliance (MCA) added three more horses to the herd for its public art project debuting in late September.

Sponsored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Association, Horse Fever - 10th Anniversary is a collection of life-sized fancifully painted horses created by local artists. They will be on display from late September until March of 2012 at various locations in Ocala. Each horse has his own corporate or private sponsor that pays for the cost of the project, and chooses the location.

The public is invited to an unveiling event featuring five of the new horses on the downtown square in Ocala on Thursday, Sept 29 from 6-8 pm. The remaining horses will trot into place Sept. 28 and 29. A map is being created by Blue Sky Graphic Communication and to be found on the website hosted by Community Sponsor Ocala.com at Ocala.com/horsefever. Locations and photos will be part of a collectible tabloid insert to be published by the Star Banner on Sept. 29, the day of the unveiling.

Added to the list of sponsors is Latinos y Mas, the future home of “Parrot-dise” by artist Barbara Porzio. Goldmark Farm is sponsoring “Wildfire” by Nancy Ihasz, and Robert Boissenault Oncology Institute recently selected “Mistaken Identity” by Gary Borse to round out the herd. MCA neared its goal of 30 sponsors, and has plans that will be announced later this fall for the remaining horse forms. MCA is thrilled at the response for these sponsorships representing a diverse and generous local community.

The Horse Fever Auction will be held Friday, March 23, 2012 at Live Oak Plantation. ■

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TEMBER 2011

52 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEP-

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Sponsored by Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Association

World Champ

TAMMYPORTRAITART.COM PHOTO

Painted by Sharon Crute

THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 53

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HORSE COUNCIL NEWS

Debt Limit Raised, Tough Work Begins On Aug. 2, the President signed the Budget ControlAct of 2011 ending months of difficult partisan negotiations with Congress over raising the debt ceiling and avoiding by only hours the first-ever default by the U.S. on its obligations. Almost immediately, Congress adjourned for theAugust recess and went home to meet with constituents.

While a deal was reached on the debt ceiling that included steps toward debt reduction, Congress and the President face much more work before the country’s fiscal house is in order. Everyone acknowledges this is just “phase one.” There is no reason to think that the subsequent phases will be any easier than the debt ceiling negotiations. Indeed the actual tough decisions on spending cuts, tax reform, debt reduction and balanced budgets are still ahead.

Under the legislation, the debt limit can be raised by as much as $2.4 trillion through 2013, which should be enough to avoid another debt ceiling battle until after next year’s elections. The deal provides for $1 trillion in cuts over 10 years to defense and non-defense spending and requires Congress to at least vote on a balanced-budget amendment.

The new law sets up a 12-person Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, known as the “super committee,” to be named by House and Senate leaders. It will include six democrats and six republicans, three each from the House and Senate. The committee will be asked to find additional ways to offset $1.2 trillion in spending over 10 years and to make legislative recommendations to improve the country’s short- and long-term fiscal health. The committee must release its legislative recommendations to Congress by Thanksgiving. That plan will be subject to an “up-or-down” vote by the House and Senate, meaning no possible amendments.

If the committee cannot reach consensus on $1.2 trillion in spending cuts, or if Congress cannot pass the committee’s plan by Dec. 23, across-the-board cuts of $1.2 trillion over 10 years, beginning in 2013, to federal

54 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

agency budgets will kick-in automatically.

They will be divided evenly between defense and domestic programs, including Medicare.

The intent is to make these automatic cuts so distasteful that the committee will agree to a plan and Congress will pass it.

There are no tax increases in the package, but it is expected that the super committee will look at tax reform proposals that would close various “loopholes” and provide additional revenue. It is also expected that the democrats will push for an end to the Bush-era tax cuts set to expire at the end of 2012. So tax increases are likely in the next two years even if not specifically proposed.

Once the super committee is appointed, it will meet over the next three months to try to hammer out a plan to improve the county’s short and long-term fiscal health. The process to be followed, the committee’s scope, whether it will select a chair or chairs, ask for recommendations from Congressional committees, hold public hearings or meetings, call upon “experts,” etc. has yet to be determined. Indeed whether recommendations regarding an increase in tax rates or just “tax reform” are on the table is unclear. Suffice it to say the committee will indeed be important and powerful. Whatever the process, any final recommendations must have the support of at least seven of the twelve members in order to be sent to Congress for a vote.

The horse industry can be affected by all of this. Obviously tax increases or closing socalled “tax loopholes” can affect it. The 2008 change in the depreciation schedule for race horses from seven to three years has already been demogauged as a break for “rich race horse owners,” even though it simply changed the depreciation period to allow owners to recover the cost of the horse over the real period it races and involves a very small amount of revenue.

Any cuts to the budgets of federal agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture, could affect the health of horses and the abil-

ity of the horse industry to move horses interstate and internationally for sale, breeding, racing, competition and recreation under federal protections.

Cuts in federal research involving equine diseases would affect horse health. Reductions in the funding of the Department of Interior, Forest Service and other federal agencies that maintain federal trails and national parks could affect the ability of riders to enjoy trail riding.

Tax reform, cuts to federal agencies, and the elimination of federal programs face all industries, not just the horse industry. This is what will make this process so difficult. The horse industry must ensure that any cuts or tax changes do not unfairly affect it.

The next fiscal bump on the horizon is the expiration of the continuing resolution that has kept the federal government operating. Congress has been unable to pass the various appropriations bills for each federal agency for several years. Last April Congress passed a continuing resolution to keep the government operating at current levels through September 30, 2011. The deliberations over that extension almost led to a government shutdown. Congress and the White House went to the brink then before agreeing to various cuts to keep the government operating.

Sept. 30 is just around the corner. Congress may simply extend the continuing resolution for several months to allow the super committee to do its work.

Or there may be another “food fight.” Some are hoping that having just concluded a bitter partisan battle, Washington will not have the stomach to do it again so soon, particularly with “phase one” of the Budget Control Act already in place. But only time will tell.

Clearly the next phases of the federal effort to put the country’s fiscal house in order will be critical. The American Horse Council will be working to ensure that whatever changes are made will be fair and equitable and will not put the horse industry at a competitive disadvantage.

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web sites may be of help for pasture management and your wallet

FARM MANAGEMENT

Links and Web Sites Good for Earth, Water andYour Pocketbook here is so much information (and http://www.extension.org/ag_energy - Farm misinformation) about farm manage- Energy - Speaking of anaerobic digestion ment, how to protect our water and be and other manure to energy systems, this site environmentally responsible, as well as sites explores manure to energy and many other providing tips about how to save “Ag Energy” subjects. Biodiesel, money while doing things “right”, wind energy, solar energy, effithat I thought I would take some ciency and conservation are just some of the topics covered. time to pass along many of the difhttp://web2.msue.msu.edu/maferent web sites I visit regularly and nure , then click on “publications”, to explain a bit about each so that they find additional information on anaermay be of help to you. obic digestion from other Extension Let’s start with something simple Jamie Cohen, offices around the country. like pasture and weed management. by Farm Outreach Coordinator http://weedext.ifas.ufl.edu/ http://livinggreen.ifas.ufl.edu/ UF/IFAS Weed Science. This is an outstand- Living Green: This deals with both rural and ing web site which offers many recommen- urban ideas, with interesting topics on farm dations for controlling weeds, essential for energy types and sustainability. There is keeping your pastures weed free so grass can plenty of information for communities and have the ability to grow and thrive. neighborhoods as well. http://www.extension.org/main/commuSOME OTHER UNIVERSITY OF nities eXtension- resource areas, not just on FLORIDA SITES: water quality, but all areas Extension offers http://soils.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/ILWTL1.pdf Livestock Waste Testing Lab. If anyone ever FINANCIAL RESOURCES: has an interest in getting the manure you http://attra.ncat.org/farm_energy/farm_ spread on your farm tested (so you know what energy_main.php General Financial Renutrients are being added to your property), sources. This site gives lots of information this site will explain how to do it and where to on federal incentives, tax credits, local audits send the manure to be tested. and more… http://www.extension.org/animal_mawww.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/farmbill. nure_management Manure Management (on REAP Program. For grants and loan guara national level). This is a great page because antees focused on purchasing renewable enit gives all types of information on topics ergy and energy efficiency improvements. ranging from beginning farmers to manure http://www.sare.org/Grants Sustainable storage to manure treatment technologies Agriculture Grants (like vermicomposting, standard composting http://dsireusa.org/ Database of State Inand anaerobic digestion, to name a few). centives for Renewables & Efficiency

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ADDITIONAL SITES:

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http://www.sare.org/publications Water savings. Click on “bulletins,” “topics,” and then click on “natural resources/environment,” to get tips on water quality and smart water use for your farm.

SOLAR AND ENERGY AUDITS:

•https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/farm_energy/studies/water_pumping.html Solar Watering systems for animals. A good site to learn about solar water pumps for animal watering systems. http://www.energysavers.gov/ Energy savings and audits. There are many great energy saving and water conservation and protection tips here. You can also click on “Your workplace”, then on “Farms and Ranches” to get some great tips on being more energy efficient, and saving money on the farm.

I hope these suggestions give you some useful tips for web sites to utilize when looking to find answers or getting ideas and making discoveries towards some of your farming issues. Certainly, contacting your local Extension Office is a great way to get help for many questions, ranging from pasture maintenance and manure management to equine health and breeding issues. As always, keep up the good management practices!

Jamie A. Cohen

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Schedule a Farm Call: Jamie A. Cohen/Farm Outreach Coordinator UF IFAS/Marion County Extension Service 352-671-8792 • jamiecohen@ufl.edu THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 55

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Ocala’s Braswell Repeats At ASPCA Maclay Regional four years-old and in amazing form, and keeping his stride.

From the 30 contenders in round one, judges Patricia Harnois and John Roper chose two groups to move into the “flat phase.” The judges put them through the paces, asking for riders to drop their stirrups and proceed from a sitting trot to a rising trot and finally into a canter. Deliberations began as riders and trainers nervously awaited results. Many were surprised at the announcement that the judges had requested additional testing of six of the top 12 riders.

“This is just a special win this year,” Braswell said.

Molly and Danish will take a small break before the Indoor circuit- Harrisburg, Capital Challenge, and Washington International on their trek to the ASPCA Maclay Championships Nov. 2-6, at the National Horse Show’s new home, the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, KY. Touted as the ultimate junior hunter accomplishment, the ASPCA Maclay Horsemanship Trophy is the top award presented to one rider age 18 or under who has competed in a series of qualifying classes and earned enough points to participate in a regional contest. From each Regional Final a

FLASHPOINT PHOTOS

Molly Braswell of Ocala, Florida, is celebrated her birthday weekend the same as last year, by besting 30 top competitors to capture the ASPCA Maclay Regional Championship (Region 3, the Southeast), held during 2011 North Florida Hunter Jumper Association’s Labor Day Horse Show at the Agricultural Center in Green Cove Springs, Fl. Michael Rheinheimer designed a technical 12-fence first round course to aid judges Patricia Harnois and John Roper in narrowing the field of 30 down to one winner –or in this case a repeat victory for Molly Braswell.

“It was a good course, for me a little long coming out of the first line, but otherwise I was really happy with it.” Braswell said.

Braswell trains at Terrapin Hill Farm with her father, Bob Braswell and assistant trainer Courtney de Hechavarria and has been partnered with the Elizabeth Dove owned El Campeons Danish a little over a year.

Asked for some specifics, such as age on her mount, Braswell giggled and said “I’m not gonna tell you! He’s a Danish Warmblood and I love him!” A little encouragement and compliments of their performance brought out a confession from a proud Braswell that this stellar gelding is twenty-

percentage of all winners will advance to the year-end National Championships at the National Horse Show in November where the deciding Finals are held. Region 3-Southeast includes athletes from Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. 2011 marks the fifth year the Southeast Regional Final has taken place in Florida.

Rhonda Mack from sponsor Jerry Parks Insurance Group and KatieYoung representing the National Horse Show Association presented the Champion and Reserve winners with their respective medals plus a bevy of other goodies provided by English Riding Supply, The Gift Horse, and Horse & Kennel Warehouse. Of course the winning horse will enjoy a handsome embroidered cooler to commemorate his part in this occasion. ■

REGION 3 TOP 10 RESULTS 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 56 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

Molly Braswell . . . . .El Campeons Danish Emma Kennedy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Adonis Hasbrouck Donovan . . . . . . . . . . .Wagner Meg O’Mara . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fernleigh Liza Finsness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fedelio Lauren Biddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lawando Landrie Folsom . . . . . . . . . . . .Weatherby Jacob Pope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sagaro Nora Gray . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Undorado Tibri Emily Rizzo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Calinka

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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

Total Hoof Care Management

By E.L. JOHNSON Ph. D., Extension Horse Specialist University of Florida, Animal Science Department large percentage of horses do not receive what most hoof care professionals would classify as adequate and proper hoof care. There are many and varied reasons for this, such as lack of knowledge of what is required, the inability to find qualified personnel to do the work, the lack of finances to do what needs to be done, inattention or forgetfulness or just plain lack of caring.

Some of these reasons are difficult to remedy. However, there is no reason for an owner not to have the knowledge of minimum requirements for hoof care. There is much information available, but it does need to be screened for accuracy.There are lots of articles that contain misinformation, are inaccurate or are incomplete. In short, do not believe everything you hear or read.

Act as if you were making an investment and were expecting a good return—you are.

Hoof care should begin very early in a horse’s life. Assuming there are no major problems, it is desirable to begin the hoof care program at about one month of age. Many owners have no problem with the concept of routine vaccination and deworming to prevent problems but are quite willing to cheat on hoof care. The best investment of hoof care dollars is early in the horse’s life. Many problematic situations can be avoided and/or prevented by early intervention. Like the commercial says, “You can pay now or pay later.” The implication being that routine maintenance can be much more cost efficient than waiting for potentially traumatic events to occur necessitating that something be done. Additionally, it reduces the chances that a horse will not be available for its intended use.

After the initial trim, foals should be checked monthly (preferably), but certainly at intervals of no longer than six weeks. This schedule should be followed for the first couple years of a horse’s life. From that point on, the schedule becomes dependent upon such factors as how fast a particular horse’s feet grow, the environment, where it lives (stall or pasture),

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what the horse’s job is, and how often the farrier can be scheduled.

Some horses grow hoof rather rapidly and some more slowly. Horses vary in their ability to deal with length of hoof and the accompanying change of angle as the toe length increases.

Depending on what their job is, this may or may not be problematic. However, the greater the level of performance expected, the greater the likelihood that the hoof care interval will need to be shortened.

Corrective or pathological work will also generally require a shortened hoof care interval.

A majority of horses will do well with a five to six-week interval. No horse should go longer than eight weeks without at least being checked.

An important concept to grasp is to not evaluate a farrier by the amount of hoof removed. It is just as important to know what hoof needs to remain. Having said that, it also must be said that one of the greatest problems in farriery today is the long toe-low heel syndrome. This certainly impairs the ability of a horse to perform well and greatly increases the chances of soft tissue injuries as well as leading to arthritic joint conditions. If the horse is not wearing shoes, it predisposes the hoof to toe and quarter cracks as well as white line disease or seedy toe. Other problems related to inadequate or improper hoof care are abscesses, though corns and breaking away large pieces of hoof wall that may require reconstruction can also occur.

The easier part of this discussion is to determine who should be involved in developing and administering a hoof care program for a given horse. It is of utmost importance that the manager of a horse understands the farrier is not responsible for the day-to-day hoof care management of a horse.

Unless there are problems necessitating more frequent contact, the farrier normally only sees a horse once every five to six weeks. The person responsible for the daily care of the horse must be the one responsible for the decisions regarding the daily care of the feet. Different horses have different requirements and basically everything that happens or does not

Edited by UF/IFAS Marion County Livestock AgentMark Shuffitt

happen to a horse has some effect on the horse’s feet, be it positive or negative. Examples of things that may affect the feet are feeding programs, cleaning the feet, the environment the horse is ridden or worked in, bathing, hoof dressings, farrier care interval, and capabilities and conscientiousness of the farrier.

The first factor we might look at is the routine daily management of our horses. Hoof moisture has a major effect on the quality of horn of the hoof. More specifically, the concern is vacillating moisture content of the hoof wall.

Extremes either way and frequent variances cause deterioration of the hoof horn. Some factors that contribute to this condition are bathing, wet/dirty stalls, dry bedding, standing in hot, dry sand; tall wet grass and application of hoof dressings and sealants.

Also affecting hoof horn quality is the feeding program.The production of quality horn requires sound nutrition. Certainly not all horses require additional supplementation such as biotin, methionine and other compounds; however, there are many horses that exhibit dramatically improved hoof horn when receiving such supplements. The key is paying attention to what is occurring with the feet to prevent problems from developing.

The second area we need to consider is selecting a farrier and allowing that person to do the best job that they can. This entails many things, beginning with providing adequate and proper daily maintenance.You must apprise the farrier of your expectations of the horse and the farrier.

At that point in time, all major parties, including the attending veterinarian in many instances, should get involved in determining a proper hoof care regime.

Factors to be determined include shoeing interval, type of shoes to use and any special needs dictated by conformational or pathological problems. Beyond that, the rest lies in the hands of the farrier and will be somewhat dependent upon his/her capabilities and his/her desire to provide the most optional care for the horse allowed by the TEAM effort. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 57

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NEWS BITS

HITS Joins Forces With HRTV

H

58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

lion Grand Prix,” said Jim Bates, Executive vice president and general manager of HRTV. “This multi-year agreement assures us that we can further fulfill our commitment to serve the viewing needs of

PAULA PARISI PHOTO

ITS, Inc. announced last month a multi-year partnership with HRTV and A Good Show (AGS) to bring coverage of the 2011 Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix and other select competition from the national HITS show series to broadcast television.

“This is an exciting partnership that will, for the first time ever, bring both national and international coverage and attention to a U.S. show jumping series,” said Tom Struzzieri, HITS President & CEO. “We believe that by working with HRTV and A Good Show we will once again raise the bar for American show jumping and provide an opportunity for the world to watch some of the best in equestrian sport.”

In addition to the Pfizer Million coverage, this agreement will extend to include coverage of select high-profile events showcased at the 2012 HITS Desert Circuit in Thermal, California and the 2012 HITS Ocala Winter Circuit in Ocala, Florida.

HRTV, the Network for Horse Sports, is a 24/7 multimedia network dedicated to serving the news, information and entertainment needs of one of the world’s largest, but most under served audiences - horse fans. Leading with Thoroughbred racing, HRTV also delivers programming for virtually all equine sports.

HRTV also features the most significant and competitive contests in the English world, such as Show Jumping, Dressage, Eventing and Carriage Driving for each year’s Aachen World Horse Festival, FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage events and now, for the first time ever, the U.S.’s HITS season finale with the Pfizer $1 Million Grand Prix.

“We are excited to be the TV outlet for the high profile HITS series, beginning with the September 2011 Pfizer $1 Mil-

This is an exciting partner“ship that will, for the first time ever, bring both national and international coverage and attention to a U.S. show jumping series. We believe that by working with HRTV and A Good Show we will once again raise the bar for American show jumping and provide an opportunity for the world to watch some of the best in equestrian sport.

”

—Tom Struzzieri, HITS President & CEO

horse competitors and fans, worldwide.”

Television and webcast productions of the Pfizer Million, Diamond Mills Hunter Prix Final and the other select HITS competitions will be handled by A Good Show, creators of network and cable sports and entertainment television. AGS’ Founder and Executive Producer David Kiviat has produced and directed network sports programming for 30 years, including the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska, the Tour De France, and horse racing’s Triple Crown.

“A Good Show is proud to realize our long-time vision of a multi-year association with HITS, bringing our experience and innovation to launch this exciting, new equine sports television series,” said Kiviat. “HITS’ premiere show jumping events are second to none, and AGS brings the series to its perfect home HRTV, the Network for Horse Sports, strengthening global brand awareness through comprehensive distribution across all media platforms.”

Kiviat and his AGS team of producers, directors, camera operators and editors have a long history in contributing to sports television. The team has worked with major networks ABC, CBS, NBC, ESPN, Versus and FOX. Acclaimed voice-over talent, Mike Moran has signed on to provide expert equestrian commentary for both the Diamond Mills $500,000 Hunter Prix Final and Pfizer Million. Aside from being a professional trainer and horse sport expert, Moran has hosted and anchored numerous broadcast sporting events and been the voice of many national branded ad campaigns for Sprint, Adidas and Quaker Oatmeal.

Visit www.hitsshows.com for more information.

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FLORIDA HORSE PARK

AnAnnual Success ur Fall Farm Tour presented by Great American Insurance Group Equine Division is just around the corner! Last year the event was a sell out success to more than 300 equine enthusiasts from across the state.

Through the help of The Sanctuary: Equine Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation Center, several other area farms and Great American Insurance Group Equine Division, we are creating the same successes for 2011.

The Fall Farm tour serves as a fundraiser for the Park, but equally as important, it brings new people to Florida’s equine industry. This is essential exposure our industry needs in Florida Horse Park Fall Farm Tour 2011 order to thrive.

• October 27, 2011 Our 2010 tour brought at• Tickets: $50 each tendees to a variety of facili• Includes lunch, transportation and entertainment 2012, we are excited to bring ties. Thoroughbreds, polo, • Call 352-307-6699 ext. 6 to purchase you each of those events and polocrosse and dressage were all showcased to a captive and enthusiastic audience. more as the Park continually strengthens and improves.

Part of the Florida Agriculture Center & Horse After the tour feedback indicated that participants appreciated a program that was fun, educational and an Park Authority’s mission is to, “Make the land a hero.”

The Florida Horse Park Foundation is spearheading insight into farms they drive past on a daily basis.

Visitors were impressed with the quality and di- this initiative, which will raise funds and serve to versity of the farms they visited. We have designed maintain green space within the Park’s master plan. this year’s program to include racing, sport, working Many individuals and organizations have already purchased a Memorial Live Oak tree to be planted at the and pleasure horse facilities in Marion County.

The Fall Farm Tour 2011 is an exceptional oppor- Park, and includes an engraved granite plaque. Call tunity to spread the word about the strength and di- 352-307-6699 ext. 8 for further details.

Join us this fall as we continue our progress at the versity of our equine industry to the surrounding Park and through the community. community.

As much exposure as our farms garnered from the Happy Trails, tour, the Park garnered equally as much by offering a user friendly opportunity to experience horses. Many of last year’s attendees have already made plans to join us again on October 27.

Connie Duff Wise In 2011, organizers brought more than 74 events to Chairman of the Board the Park, spanning 117 days throughout the year. In Florida Horse Park COURTESY FLORIDA HORSE PARK

O

Attendees at the November 18, 2010 Fall Farm Tour pass through the Charlie Horse Farm Barn before going out to watch a polocrosse match.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011 59

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Leading Florida Sires The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through August 31, 2011. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

LEROIDESANIMAUX Name

Sire Name

GRAEME HALL

WILDCAT HEIR NA Stk Gr Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings

Farm Name

Leading Earner

Leading Yrlg Earnings Sold

Yrlg 2yo Avg Sold

2yo Avg

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) Candy Stripes Stonewall Farm Ocala

$3,480,652 78

35

4

6

4

$3,651,843

Animal Kingdom

$1,904,900

7

$6,882

3

Wildcat Heir

Forest Wildcat Journeyman Stud

$3,037,651 160 72

6

9

1

$3,048,954

John Johny Jak

$139,971

19

$28,200

16

$39,531"

Graeme Hall

Dehere

$2,464,879 111 63

3

3

3

$2,468,673

Duke of Mischief

$719,881

5

$17,600"

$189,494

15

$10,740

4

$16,750"

$93,120

37

$5,859

11

$19,836"

Winding Oaks

$53,500"

Strong Hope

Grand Slam

Winding Oaks

$1,735,630 109 53

2

3

0

$1,831,545

Clement Rock

Chapel Royal

Montbrook

Signature Stallions

$1,745,906 173 71

0

0

0

$1,754,912

Dahlgren Chapel

Montbrook

Buckaroo

Ocala Stud

$1,735,476 77

37

2

4

2

$1,747,767

Tackleberry

$599,667

5

$13,500

12

$35,142"

Consolidator

Storm Cat

Journeyman Stud

$1,532,859 144 61

0

0

0

$1,723,956

Consolidator Joe

$86,712

38

$5,932

6

$11,917"

Pomeroy

Boundary

Vinery

$1,523,523 67

31

6

9

2

$1,622,661

Pomeroys Pistol

$311,188

21

$18,522

17

$78,235"

Greatness

Mr. Prospector Randolph Thoroughbreds $1,594,657 63

34

3

9

1

$1,594,657

Jenny's So Great

$203,684

3

$3,567

1

$2,000"

With Distinction

Storm Cat

$1,567,643 103 43

1

2

0

$1,591,159

Decisive Moment

$318,680

47

$17,434

38

$26,250

Hartley/De Renzo

Leading Florida Juvenile Sires The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through August 31, 2011. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

AWESOME OF COURSE Name

Sire Name

Farm Name

POMEROY

WITH DISTINCTION

NA Stk Gr Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's

Earnings

Leading Earner

Leading Earnings

Yrlg Sold

Yrlg 2yo Avg Sold

Awesome of Course Awesome Again

Journeyman Stud

$385,825

5

3

2

4

0

$385,825

Redbud Road

With Distinction

Storm Cat

Hartley/De Renzo

$193,738

29

9

0

0

0

$214,495

For Oby

$39,712

47

$17,434

38

$26,250

Pomeroy

Boundary

Vinery

$184,612

12

4

1

1

0

$184,612

Mel Beach

$82,600

21

$18,522

17

$78,235

Burning Roma

Rubiano

FRESHMAN

High Cotton Dixie Union

$162,855

1

2yo Avg $10,000

Rising Hill

$181,150

10

3

1

1

0

$181,150

Queen Drama

$123,705

9

$3,022

6

$6,833

Ocala Stud

$163,669

20

6

0

0

0

$181,132

Tarpy's Goal

$42,240

18

$15,456

23

$31,518

Chapel Royal

Montbrook

Signature Stallions $178,519

21

8

0

0

0

$178,519

Final Moment

$26,230

37

$5,859

11

$19,836

D'wildcat

Forest Wildcat

Vinery

$173,228

22

6

0

0

0

$173,228

Xunlei

$42,000

28

$18,954

24

$31,279

Bring the Heat

In Excess (IRE)

Ward Ranch

$151,155

9

6

0

0

0

$151,155

Firefall

$37,843

Signature Stallions $105,619

7

3

0

0

0

$146,626

Shakespeare's Brew

$41,013

14

$19,999

3

$78,667

Journeyman Stud

14

3

0

0

0

$145,812

Vexor

$42,000

19

$28,200

16

$39,531

FRESHMAN

Shakespeare Theatrical (IRE)

Wildcat Heir

Forest Wildcat

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

$145,812

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VeryLate is

Better Than Never

he grainy black-and-white images that marked the nascent days of television were important to widening the popularity of racing in the early 1950s.

There was, of course, less competition for the public atby Paul Moran tention. Even in the largest cities, not everyone owned a television and viewers had few options. For the sports fan, Friday-night fights, Saturday afternoon baseball or college football, depending upon the season, were staples.

The National Football League was a modest enterprise and played all its games on Sunday afternoon.

Racing occupied an enviable position. Without competition during the winter months, when there was no racing in the East north of Florida, the race of the week from Hialeah Park was run almost in prime time, just before the Saturday dinner hour in much of the nation. Images of palms, sunshine and the nation’s best horses were welcomed in the absence of racing during the cold, dark Lamenting the months of winter and set the stage for the Triple Crown.

For some young people, these broadcasts were an initial difficulty of exposure to racing and some of these became lifelong fans. appealing to a Those of a certain age will recall racing’s first media star, Native Dancer, who was not only nearly invincible new, younger but stood out through the worst of primitive television redemographic is ception because he was gray and launched overwhelming no substitute for runs from well behind the pace.

From Native Dancer to Tim Tam, television made stars action and to of horses in the ‘50s, a trend that continued through the that end there is ‘60s and ‘70s while people found their way from living rooms to racetracks. But eventually, things changed. no substitute for A widening of the broadcast industry led to cable nettelevision. works and literally dozens of options but leaders of the racing industry failed to identify and embrace the potential of an evolving medium. Racing’s exposure contracted to the point at which, in recent years, it has begun and ended with the Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup with even the latter – conceived with television a major component in its success—lacking the wide exposure provided by a broadcast network.

More than a half-century after the Grey Ghost of Sagamore provided the first example of television’s potential to bring together a horse and a wide audience, broadcast exposure of racing, or the lack thereof, was among a long list of topics raised for discussion in Saratoga Springs,

T

62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • SEPTEMBER 2011

N.Y. during the Jockey Club’s annual Round Table on Matters Pertaining to Racing. A very expensive study commissioned by the Jockey Club revealed, in short, that lack of television exposure has contributed (with many other factors) to racing’s decline.

There are obvious deficiencies in racing’s current exposure on virtually all mass media platforms with the exception, perhaps, of the Internet. The relevance of the daily print media is questionable and most daily newspapers have all but eliminated coverage of racing. Television Games Network and Horse Racing Television, both dedicated exclusively to racing and tied to advance-deposit wagering platforms, have very limited exposure.The sport lacks the equivalent of cable channels dedicated to golf and automobile racing. There are food networks, cooking channels, shopping channels, ESPN in dozens of versions and something for almost every interest. But there is no racing channel generally available on cable systems as part of basic service.

So, in recent years the major races for 3-year-olds run prior to the Kentucky Derby have been denied television exposure just as major races at other times of year have been run in virtual television secrecy.

There are, however, green shoots on racing’s media landscape. Coverage of weekend stakes at Saratoga by NBC and Versus, which it owns, was sufficiently successful to prompt the network to plan similar overage of the fall meeting at Keeneland. Without NBC, races of great importance run at Saratoga– the Whitney Handicap, Alabama, Travers and Woodward – would have been run in network television darkness. Instead, they were available in tens of millions of homes.

Social networks, message boards and other Internetbased platforms – which amount to preaching to the choir—have become increasingly important to racing but no substitute for the power of television. After decades of denial, the time has come for the sport to come to grips with this deficiency. Lamenting the difficulty of appealing to a new, younger demographic is no substitute for action and to that end there is no substitute for television.

Exposure on NBC and Versus is a new beginning. A bit – a lot – of nurturing and the facilitation of expansion can only help raise the sport’s flagging public profile. Very late is still better than never. ■

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