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A 6 race series for both 2 & 3-year-olds, plus 2-year-old and up supplementals

2-Year-Old Payment $250 by Jan. 15 FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

40796

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DECEMBER • 2015 • VO L 5 8 / I S S U E 1 0

FEATURES Profile on new FTBOA board member Richard Kent

RICHARD KENT

20

—By Brock Sheridan

Profile on new FTBOA board member Mark Casse

MARK CASSE 24 —By Mike Mullaney

OLD WARRIORS 30

The racehorse versions of the Energizer Bunny, six Florida-breds in the 2015 racing season to date have garnered the title of old warriors —By JoAnn Guidry

SUNSHINE MILLIONS PREVIEW 42

Florida-breds put on a great show —By Mike Mullaney

OCALA FARM MINISTRY 50

Ocala Farm Ministry forging a bond among the Chaplaincy’s outreach programs and the horsemen.—By Ben Baugh

REMI BELLOCQ 52

A look at the cartoonist and his work —By Brock Sheridan

FTBOA FARM TOURS 66

Visits to a number of FTBOA member’s farms

GEORGE BURROWS 68

Ocala Stud’s George Burrows is the epitome of longevity

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS THE BROCK TALK FLORIDA FOCUS —By Tammy A. Gantt

FTBOA MEMBER UPDATE

Country-wide Florida-bred statistics

AROUND THE COUNTRY

58

MEMORY LANE: 1974

—By JoAnn Guidry

74

LEADING SIRES

76 78

—By Jamie Cohen

FARM MANAGEMENT

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

6 8 28

—By Mike Mullaney

DRIFTING OUT

80

WAYS OF THE WEST

—By Gary West

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COVER PHOTO OF SARAGUARO: LESLIE MARTIN CONTENTS PHOTO OF PANCAKE: ALFREDO ALONSO

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Important FTBOA Dates and Deadlines 2016

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

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

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

Executive Office – 801 SW 60th Avenue Ocala, Florida 34474 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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

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

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

Advertising copy deadline 5th of month preceding publication. Subscriptions and change of address: Please mail to – Circulations Department. THE FLORIDA HORSE, 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474.

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

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

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

Jan. 15 Jan. 19-20 Jan. 26 Jan. 27 Jan. 27-28 Feb. 15 March 1 March 14 March 15-16 April 9 April 19-22 May 1 May 7 May 15 May 21 June 11 June 15 June 14-17 TBD TBD Aug. 1 TBD TBD Aug. 31 TBD Sept. 15 Oct. 1 TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD Nov. 4-5 Nov. 15 Nov. 15 Nov. TBD TBD Dec. 7

Thoroughbred Week–National Mid Atlantic Sports Network Saturdays at 8 a.m. & Sundays at 10:30 a.m.

Directv 640, 640-1; Dish 432, 433

Thoroughbred Week–Central Florida

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

9 a.m. Sat.–Cox Ocala-Channel 16 8:30 a.m. Sunday–Fox 51

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 5

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the Brock talk

Brock Sheridan

Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Communications

JOHN D. FILER PHOTO

Proud Reflections D

ecember is a time to wish all of your friends and family a happy holiday season, reflect back on the year almost complete and look ahead to the next 12 months that will be 2016.

One of the many areas of which Florida Breeders’ can be proud of in 2015 is our freshman sires.

As of this writing, Double Diamond Farm’s First Dude is North America’s second leading sire with $927,332 behind only Uncle Mo with more than $3 million in earnings.

Not far behind those two in fifth is Bridlewood Farm’s Big Drama while Northwest Stud’s Gone Astray makes the top ten in eighth. Not far behind those three is Brooks ‘n Down, who ranks 12th on the list and will stand at Ocala Stud this breeding season. Ocala Stud’s Adios Charlie did not rank quite as high in terms of racing progeny earnings but he did produce juveniles that sold for $675,000 and $600,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales March sale and averaged nearly $145,000 with all of his 2-year-olds at auction.

Those stallions also proved popular in the breeding shed as well as according to The Jockey Club, First Dude bred 67 mares in 2015, Gone Astray bred 56 and Big

Looking ahead, we can be excited “ about five Florida stallions that will be freshman sires in 2016.”

Drama had 84 dates with mares this past year. Brooks ‘n Down only bred eight mares, but he did not stand commercially this past breeding season. His book will be open to the public this year, however. Adios Charlie led all Florida sires in his class as he bred 128 mares in 2015.

Looking ahead, we can be excited about five Florida stallions that will be freshman sires in 2016 including Woodford Thorougbred’s Biondetti, Alexander Thoroughbreds Doctor Peach, Ocala Stud’s Overdriven, Stonehedge Farm’s Revolving and Reward the Cat, who stands at Buena Vista Farm.

Biondetti is a son of champion 3-year-old and Preakness (G1) winner Bernardini out of the Lyphard mare, 6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Lyphard’s Delta. On the track, Biondetti was undefeated in his first three starts at age 2 including a victory in the Group 1 Gran Criterium Stakes at Milan, becoming Bernardini’s first Group or Grade 1 winner. He raced until age four and retired with earnings of $359,583. He will stand for $4,000 in 2016.

Overdriven was also a standout as a 2-year-old, winning the Grade 1 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga in only his second start. His first start was almost as impressive as he defeated special weight maidens at Belmont Park while missing the track record by just 3/5ths of a second, going five furlongs in :56.42. By Tale of the Cat and out of Air France, by French Deputy, Overdriven should have plenty of ammunition on the track in the coming years as he bred 191 mares in his first two seasons. He will stand for $3,000 in 2016.

Doctor Peach is a son of two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Tiznow out of Another Round by Affirmed. A winner of two of seven starts on the track while racing at ages 2 and 3, Doctor Peach earned $89,929. He will stand privately this year.

Revolving also had an abbreviated racing career, winning one of three starts and $25,341, but he does bring a nice pedigree as the son of Belmont Stakes (G1) winner, champion and sire of sires A.P. Indy. He is out of Circle of Life, by Belong to Me and will also stand privately this season.

Reward the Cat did not make it to the races but the good looking son of Good Reward out of Clever But Costly, by Clever Trick could prove to be more successful in the breeding shed with a good start by his progeny in 2016. He will stand privately.

More information on these Florida stallions and others will be available in our upcoming Stallion Directory, which should be available near the end of December.

Until then, Happy Holidays to you all and here’s to hoping that Santa Claus will bring plenty of 2-year-old winners and stakes winners to Biondetti, Doctor Peach, Overdriven, Revolving, Reward the Cat and the owners and breeders of those youngsters. ■

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Florida FOCUS by Mike Mullaney

Florida-bred Sheikh of Sheikhs

COADY PHOTO

million Juvenile Turf to the Dirt Mile. “[Sheikh of Sheikhs had] no problem with the different surface and distance.”

It was the second win from two starts for Sheikh of Sheikhs whose only loss came when sixth in the Oct. 3 Breeders’ Futurity (G1) at Keeneland. The $60,000 first-place check increased his career earnings to $111,467 for owner Abdullah Saeek Almaddah.

Sheikh of Sheikhs broke his maiden in a wire-to-wire victory over special weight maidens at Saratoga in August at six furlongs.

Sheikh of Sheikhs is out of the Pioneering mare Homesteader and he was bred in Florida by Manuel Andrade of Palm Beach Gardens. ■

Sheikh of Sheikhs Shows Versatility With Juvenile Dirt Sprint Victory Sheikh of Sheikh was excluded from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland on Oct. 30 but turned misfortune into fortune when the Florida-bred son of Discreetly Mine came back on the Breeders’ Cup undercard on Oct. 31 to win the $100,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Dirt Sprint at six furlongs.

Although the Juvenile Turf was set at one mile on the grass compared to the Dirt Sprint at six furlongs on the main track, the change in conditions did not bother trainer Wesley Ward of Ocala, the wagering public nor Sheikh of Sheikhs as he was sent to the post as the 8-5 favorite.

Stablemate Moment Is Right got away best of all from post 5 while Sheikh of Sheikhs also broke well from two slots inside. Moment is Right and jockey Joel Rosario put daylight on Sheikh of Sheikhs, rider Frankie Dettori and the rest of the field of nine and moved to the rail as Sheikh of Sheikhs tracked Moment Is Right while staying three-wide with Richie the Bull third. Moment Is Right went the first quarter mile in a quick :22.19 with Sheikh of Sheikhs 11⁄2 lengths back in second with Richie the Bull and NoholdingbackBear running together in third another 11⁄2 lengths behind as they went into the far turn.

They continued in that order until they straightened away for home when Sheikh of Sheikh made a move four-wide, passing Moment Is Right on the inside. Before long, Sheikh of Sheikhs was a length in front and continued to extend his lead under strong urging from Dettori.

Sheikh of Sheikhs hit the finish in 1:10.28 and a half-length in front of a late-running NoholdingbackBear in second with Richie the Bull third and Moment Is Right fourth.

“It all worked in our favor,” Ward said of the change from the $1 8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

G1 Winner The Big Beast Retires to Ocala Stud The Big Beast, the Grade 1 winner and leading sprinter, has been retired from racing and will stand in 2016 at J. Michael O’Farrell’s Ocala Stud in Florida. A fee will be determined and announced soon.

“The Big Beast was a tremendously fast and talented Grade 1 winner on the track, and he’s an imposing individual,” said O’Farrell. “The Big Beast proved he was one of the best sprinters in the country over the last couple years, and he’s from a sire line that’s been successful in Florida. We’re very excited to work with owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong on standing The Big Beast, and we believe breeders are going to really like him.”

Trained by Tony Dutrow, The Big Beast broke his maiden at Belmont and went on a four-race win streak that included a victory in the $500,000 King’s Bishop S. (G1) at Saratoga last year as a 3-year-old.

He stopped the clock in 1:22.35 for seven furlongs in the prestigious King’s Bishop, defeating graded stakes winners Wildcat Red, C. Zee, Noble Moon, and Coup de Grace, as well as stakes winner Fast Anna.

The Big Beast also ran six furlongs in 1:09 flat and earned a 102 Beyer at Saratoga at three, before returning as a 4-year-old to lose a head bob on the wire in the $350,000 Vanderbilt Handicap (G1). The strapping bay colt took late multiple G1 winner Rock Fall to the wire, losing a heartbreaker in a blazing 1:08.75 for six furlongs. He earned a 106 Beyer for the performance, marking one of the fastest Beyers at the distance in 2015.

The Big Beast also finished in the money in the Carter Handicap (G1) and Forego Stakes (G1), finishing second to multiple Grade 1 winner Private Zone in the latter to close out his career with earnings of $676,300 for owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong.

By former Florida champion freshman sire Yes It’s True, The Big Beast is out of the stakes-placed Deputy Minister mare, V V S Flawless.

For more information about The Big Beast, please contact David or Joe O’Farrell at 352-237-2171, or visit OcalaStud.com. ■

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The Big Beast

RAISHER PHOTO

Full Ransom Wins Del Mar Turf Test as Longshot

Florida Vet Named AAEP VP Margo Macpherson, D.V.M., a professor of equine reproduction at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, will serve as the 2016 vice president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Macpherson’s tenure as vice president will begin Dec. 8 during the association’s annual meeting in Las Vegas. Following completion of the two-year term of her office, Macpherson will become president of the AAEP in 2018.

A member of the college’s faculty since 1999, Macpherson served as chief of the UF Large Animal Hospital’s reproduction service from 2007 until this year. Prior to joining the UF faculty, she worked in private equine practice in Kentucky and served as a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania.

Macpherson received her D.V.M. degree from Michigan State University in 1990 and a master’s degree from Texas A&M University in 1994. She became board-certified by the American College of Theriogenologists in 1994.

Macpherson has a strong interest in both clinical medicine and veterinary research. She has focused a significant portion of her professional career on the study of equine placentitis. Her research has significantly impacted treatment choices for mares with placentitis by providing horse owners with information about the effectiveness of commonly used antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory treatments.

A longstanding member of the AAEP, Macpherson has served in a variety of leadership roles for the group. Macpherson is also a former president of the American College of Theriogenologists. ■

Florida-bred Full Ransom put in one of the more intriguing performances in stakes company this year en route to a 1¼length victory in the $82,900 Kathryn Crosby Stakes at Del Mar on Nov. 7.

The 1 1/16-mile turf event is for older fillies and mares.

The longest shot in the field of seven, Full Ransom broke alertly from her outside post to grab good position on the outside of pacesetting favorite Chaulk o Lattey entering the first turn.

Jockey Santiago Gonzalez let her drift back to fourth while securing the rail as second and third choices Beat of the Drum and Three Hearts took up the chase straightening down the backside.

The field bunched up approaching the far turn and it looked like Full Ransom could be done as she fell back momentarily to seventh, but she wasn’t losing ground to the leader and, as her rivals spent their energy making premature moves, Gonzalez kept his mount to her task, came off the rail entering the stretch and outkicked Chaulk o Lattey down the lane to win with something left.

Chaulk o Lattey held the place by a half-length over Beat of the Drum with Three Hearts another half-length back in fourth.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 9

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Florida-bred Full Ransom

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Florida FOCUS

After fractions of :23.89, :48.36, 1:12.20 and 1:35.78, Full Ransom stopped the timer in 1:41.72 over the firm course. She paid $36.60.

10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Her start-stop-start run in the Kathryn Crosby was a reflection of her career. Winner of Hollywood Park’s Grade 3 Miesque in just her third start in November of 2013, Full Ransom suffered through a slump prior to discovery of a hock injury after a turf stake at Golden Gate in May, 2014.

Trainer James Cassidy gave her an eight-month rest, bringing her back this January with Gonzalez up for her first six races. Although the trainer speaks no Spanish and the rider speaks no English, the two communicated well enough to help the 4-year-old filly gradually regain her confidence, putting together a good sequence of races in optional-claiming company at Del Mar prior to a poor performance in the Swingtime Stakes at Santa Anita Oct. 3.

Ry Eikleberry substituted for Gonzalez in the Swingtime, but Cassidy understood what Full Ransom’s finish told him and he gave the Kathryn Crosby assignment to Gonzalez.

Full Ransom is a Gregg James-bred daughter of A.P. Indy’s son Full Mandate out of Retroesque, by Red Ransom, was bred. She sold for $25,000 at the Barrett’s May sale in 2013.

She earned $46,740 for owner Deron Pearson’s DP Racing, boosting her career bankroll to $228,700 and her overall record to 4-2-1 from 15 starts. She’s been very sharp on the Del Mar turf course, winning twice with a runner-up finish in three starts. ■

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#1 Florida Freshman Sire #2 Nationally Ranked 10 triple digit speed ratings

COURTNEY HEENEY PHOTO

SERITA HULT PHOTO

r New fo 2016!

Gll Smile Sprint Champion at 4 Graded Stakes Placed at 3,4, & 5 15 Triple digit speed ratings

And from all of us at Double Diamond Farm!

Donald R.Dizney

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

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

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Florida FOCUS I Spent It Comes to Ocala Stud

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I Spent It, Super Saver’s juvenile son who won last year’s Grade 2 Saratoga Special, has been retired from racing and will stand in 2016 at J. Michael O’Farrell’s Ocala Stud.

A fee will be determined and announced soon.

“I Spent It was a tremendously gifted 2-year-old, and he looks like what you would expect of a $600,000 juvenile when you see him physically,” said O’Farrell.

I Spent It, who hails from the first crop of Super Saver, retires with earnings of $347,640 for owners Alex and JoAnn Lieblong and Three Chimneys Farm. He’s out of the Sky Mesa mare Rateeba, and is from the immediate family of Dixie Union.

“He represents the first graded-stakes winner sired by Super Saver, who is emerging as the best Kentucky Derby winner the industry has seen at stud since Seattle Slew. So we think I Spent It is a very exciting and current horse for the Florida market, and breeders are going to gravitate to this horse when they see him. We want to thank Mr. and Mrs. Lieblong and Three Chimneys for the opportunity to stand I Spent It at Ocala Stud.”

A $600,000 2-year-old-in-training purchase, I Spent It broke his maiden first-time out in a $75,000 maiden-special-weight at Belmont

I Spent It

last July as a juvenile, zipping five furlongs in :58.

A month later, the bay colt shipped up to Saratoga to capture the $300,000 Saratoga Special, overcoming a troubled trip to impressively draw off by 2¾ lengths over Mr. Z in the stretch.

He stopped the clock in 1:16.79 for 6½ furlongs, earning an 85 Beyer Speed Figure for the performance.

Trained by Tony Dutrow, I Spent It was runner-up in the prestigious seven-furlong, Grade 1 Hopeful in his next start at Saratoga, and closed out his 2-year-old campaign weighted at 116 pounds on the 2014 Experimental Free Handicap.

For more information about I Spent It, please contact David or Joe O’Farrell at 352-237-2171, or visit OcalaStud.com. ■

Fla.-bred Filly Beats Boys at GG 12 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

A Florida-bred filly and her female jockey – who advised her parents to make the winning bid for the filly at a thoroughbred sale in Texas last April – turned their backs on the boys at Golden Gate Nov.

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7, scoring a comfortable victory in the $52,255 Golden Nugget Stakes.

Code Warrior is a 2-year-old product of the Sunshine State, a Pamela Edel-bred daughter of Society’s Chairman out of the Runaway Groom mare Lady Natalie.

She was offered for sale at what might turn out to be the final thoroughbred auction in Texas. On the advice of their daughter Annie, John and Chris Sanguinetti, who do business as JC Racing Stable, bought her for $18,000.

Code Warrior is now 2-2 with earnings of $45,950.

The only filly among the five colts and lone gelding set against her, Code Warrior was the 9-5 favorite off her seven-length victory against fillies at Golden Gate Aug. 28.

Toying with the second-choice pacesetter Algenon early, she took over in early stretch and came away from the field with minimal urging, winning by 2½ lengths. Algenon held second by five with Gold Rush Dancer third after six furlongs in 1:09.68. Early fractions were :22.70, :46 and :57.85.

Code Warrior paid $5.60.

“I thought it was going to be more of a

BILL VASSAR PHOTO

Florida FOCUS

Florida-bred Code Warrior

flat-out sprint,” Sanguinetti said. “It looked like a drag race on paper. [Algenon] was out there, and he’s the horse I got to beat. I thought, ‘If he’s out front and he’s the only one, I don’t think anybody can come from

THOMAS NICHOLL LAW FIRM VETERINARIAN AND ATTORNEY OVER 20 YEARS IN EQUINE PRACTICE Legal advice from a person with knowledge and experience in all aspects of the horse industry TEL. 407-228-2131 • FAX. 407-641-8630 EMAIL. Tom@ThomasNichollLawFirm.com • WEB. www.ThomasNichollLawFirm 14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

behind.’ I just wasn’t worried about the others.

“For a second, coming into the lane, I thought, ‘Shoot, [Russell Baze on Algenon] has a lot of horse, because he looked back, like he does. When I hit her, she just exploded.”

Trainer Manny Badilla said that, after her impressive bow, he had hoped to find an allowance race for Code Warrior’s second start but, since none filled, he opted to take on the boys.

“She was a standout from the start,” he said of his promising filly. “Nobody has ever beaten her in workouts, and that includes males and other horses … and she’s getting better and better.” ■

East Hall Retired East Hall, who most recently finished fifth in the $100,000 Sunshine Millions Classic Preview at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 7, suffered a career ending injury in that race and has been retired according to a

LAUREN KING PHOTO

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written statement from owners Jack Hendricks and Roger Justice.

According to the statement, East Hall “is a fantastic horse to be around and we have been blessed to own him. We will do whatever is necessary to insure him a good retirement.”

East Hall is a Florida-bred son of Graeme Hall out of East Long Lake, by Sultry Song. He was bred by Mary K. Haire of Dunnellon, Fla. A chestnut gelding, East Hall won six of 28 career starts with earnings of $879,620. The Bill Kaplan trainee won the Grade 2 Indiana Derby, the $300,000 Ohio Derby (G2) and $100,000 Million Classic Preview Stakes at age3 last year and the $75,000 Sensitive Prince Stakes on Sept. 14. ■ Florida-bred East Hall

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Florida FOCUS by Mike Mullaney

Sheikh of Sheikhs, hijo de Discreetly Mine criado en Florida, quedó fuera del Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf de Keeneland el 30 de octubre, pero supo transformar la mala suerte en éxito cuando, el 31 de octubre, regresó a las competencias preliminares de la Breeders’ Cup y se llevó los USD 100,000 de la Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Dirt Sprint a los seis furlongs.

Si bien el Juvenile Turf se llevó a cabo en una milla sobre hierba, en comparación con los seis furlongs del Dirt Sprint en la pista principal, el cambio en las condiciones no generó preocupación en el entrenador Wesley Ward, de Ocala, en el público de apostadores, ni en Sheikh of Sheikhs, dado que llegó al poste como favorito con 8-5.

Su compañero de establo Moment Is Right se impuso desde el quinto poste, mientras que Sheikh of Sheikhs también tuvo un buen comienzo dos lugares más adentro. Moment Is Right y su jinete, Joel Rosario, se diferenciaron de Sheikh of Sheikhs, del jinete Frankie Dettori y del resto de los competidores de la pista de nueve caballos, y avanzaron hacia el barandal seguidos por Sheikh of Sheikhs y, a tres lugares de distancia, por

Florida-bred Sheikh of Sheikhs 16 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Richie the Bull en el tercer puesto. Moment Is Right cruzó el primer cuarto de milla con una rápida marca de 0:22.19, escoltado a un cuerpo y medio de distancia por Sheikh of Sheikhs en el segundo lugar y, a otro cuerpo y medio de distancia, por Richie the Bull y por NoholdingbackBear en el tercer lugar al aproximarse a la curva más distante.

Este orden se mantuvo hasta la recta final, donde Sheikh of Sheikhs hizo una maniobra de cuatro lugares y superó a Moment Is Right por adentro. En poco tiempo, Sheikh of Sheikhs se encontraba a un cuerpo de ventaja de sus rivales y continuaba ampliando la distancia bajo el sólido mando de Dettori.

Sheikh of Sheikhs llegó a la meta en 1:10.28, después de haber sacado medio cuerpo de ventaja al segundo, NoholdingbackBear. El tercer lugar fue para Richie the Bull, y Moment Is Right terminó cuarto.

“Todo nos favoreció”, aseguró Ward con respecto al cambio del Juvenile Turf de un millón de dólares a la Dirt Mile. “[Sheikh of Sheikhs no tuvo] ningún problema para competir en una superficie y una distancia distintas”.

De dos carreras profesionales, esta fue la segunda victoria para Sheikh of Sheikhs, cuya única derrota tuvo lugar cuando logró el sexto puesto en la Breeders’ Futurity (G1) del 3 de octubre en Keeneland. La victoria de USD 60,000 aumentó las ganancias totales de este caballo a USD 111,467 para su propietario Abdullah SaeekAlmaddah. Sheikh of Sheikhs finalizó con su condición de máiden en agosto con una reñida victoria en la carrera para máidens de peso especial de Saratoga de seis furlongs.

Sheikh of Sheikhs es hijo de la yegua Homesteader, hija de Pioneering, y fue criado en la Florida por Manuel Andrade, de Palm Beach Gardens. ■ COADY PHOTO

Sheikh of Sheikhs se muestra versátil en su victoria en la Juvenile Dirt Sprint

El ganador de G1 The Big Beast se retira a Ocala Stud The Big Beast, el campeón de grado 1 y líder de carreras de velocidad, se ha retirado de las competencias y, durante 2016, participará de las exposiciones en el establecimiento Ocala Stud, de J. Michael O’Farrell, en Florida.

Pronto se determinará y anunciará una tarifa.

“The Big Beast era un campeón de grado 1 realmente rápido y talentoso en la pista, que siempre se imponía”, aseguró O’Farrell. “The Big Beast demostró que fue uno de los mejores caballos de velocidad del país en los últimos dos años, y desciende de una línea de padrillos que ha sido muy exitosa en Florida. Estamos muy entusiasmados con la posibilidad de trabajar con los dueños Alex y JoAnn Lieblong en la exposición de The Big Beast, y estamos seguros de que a los criadores realmente les gustará”.

A cargo del entrenador Tony Dutrow, The Big Beast terminó con su condición de máiden en Belmont y allí inició una racha de cuatro victorias consecutivas, entre las que se destaca el primer puesto en la King’s Bishop S. (G1) de USD 500,000 en Saratoga el año pasado, cuando tenía tres años. Su marca para los siete furlongs fue de 1:22.35 en la prestigiosa King’s Bishop, en la que venció a campeones de grado consagrados como Wildcat Red, C. Zee, Noble Moon y Coup de Grace, además de haberse impuesto ante Fast Anna, ganador de varias competencias.

The Big Beast también corrió los seis furlongs en 1:09 y obtuvo una Beyer de 102 en Saratoga cuando aún tenía tres años. Después de ello, con cuatro años, perdió por una cabeza en la Vanderbilt H. (G1) de USD 350,000. El robusto potro alazán corrió cabeza a cabeza con el ganador de G1 Rock Fall en la recta final y perdió este duelo apasionante con una fugaz marca de 1:08.75 para los seis furlongs.

Obtuvo una Beyer de 106 por su desempeño, ya que marcó uno de los Beyers más rápidos para esa distancia en 2015.

The Big Beast también obtuvo ganancias en

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RAISHER PHOTO

The Big Beast

la Carter H. (G1) y en la Forego S. (G1), y terminó segundo al ser derrotado en esta última competencia por el ganador de múltiples carreras de grado 1 Private Zone. Finalizó así su trayectoria con una ganancia total de USD 676,300 para sus dueños, Alex y JoAnn Lieblong.

Hijo del excampeón de Florida Yes It’s True, The Big Beast es hijo de la yegua Deputy Minister, V V S Flawless.

Para obtener más información acerca de The Big Beast, comuníquese con David o Joe O’Farrell al 352-237-2171 o visite OcalaStud.com. ■

ducción del Hospital para Animales Grandes de la Universidad de Florida desde 2007 hasta este año. Antes de formar parte de la Universidad de Florida, trabajó como médica veterinaria de equinos en el ámbito privado y dio clases en la Universidad de Pensilvania.

Macpherson obtuvo su título de médica veterinaria de la Universidad Estatal de Michigan en 1990 y terminó una maestría de la Universidad de Texas A&M en 1994. Ese mismo año, obtuvo su certificación de la American College of Theriogenologists.

Macpherson tiene un gran interés tanto en la medicina clínica como en la investigación veterinaria. Ha dedicado una parte importante de su carrera profesional al estudio de la placentitis equina. Su investigación ha tenido un significativo impacto en las opciones de tratamiento para las yeguas con placentitis, ya que les ha proporcionado a los dueños de los caballos información acerca de la efectividad de los tratamientos más usados con medicamentos antimicrobianos y antiinflamatorios.

Macpherson, miembro de la AAEP desde hace mucho tiempo, ha ocupado diferentes cargos de liderazgo para la organización.

Macpherson también es expresidente del American College of Theriogenologists. ■

Médica veterinaria de Florida nombrada Full Ransom sorprende y Vicepresidente de la AAEP gana el turf de Del Mar

Full Ransom, criada en Florida, ofreció una de las actuaciones más sorprendentes del año en el mundo de las carreras con una victoria por 1¼ cuerpo el 7 de noviembre en la Kathryn Crosby Stakes de USD 82,900 en Del Mar. El turf de 11⁄16 millas está destinado a potras y yeguas mayores.

Full Ransom, la yegua con menos probabilidades de ganar de las siete competidoras, estuvo alerta y arrancó la carrera en una buena posición en el lado exterior de la favorita Chaulk o Lattey al entrar en la primera curva.

El jinete Santiago González la dejó retrasarse y ocupar el cuarto lugar para asegurarse el barandal, mientras la segunda y la

Florida-bred Full Ransom

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

La médica veterinaria Margo Macpherson, profesora de reproducción equina de la Escuela de Veterinaria de la Universidad de Florida, será la vicepresidente de la Asociación Estadounidense de Médicos Veterinarios de Equinos (AAEP, por sus siglas en inglés) en el 2016.

Macpherson ocupará su cargo como vicepresidente a partir del 8 de diciembre, durante la reunión anual de la Asociación en Las Vegas.

Después de que se haya desempeñado durante dos años como vicepresidente, Macpherson se convertirá en la presidente de la AAEP en 2018.

Macpherson, como parte del claustro de profesores de la Escuela de Veterinaria desde 1999, trabajó como jefa del servicio de repro-

tercera, Beat of the Drum y Three Hearts, respectivamente, se ponían en carrera y condimentaban la competencia.

La pista se pobló cuando las competidoras se aproximaban a la curva más distante, y parecía que Full Ransom no tenía posibilidades, ya que había quedado relegada al séptimo puesto. Sin embargo, la yegua no perdía de vista al primero y, mientras sus rivales gastaban su energía en maniobras prematuras, González mantenía su montura alerta: Full Ransom se despegó del barandal al entrar en la recta, superó a Chaulk o Lattey hacia el final y logró un triunfo con cierto margen.

Chaulk o Lattey conservó el segundo puesto por medio cuerpo y se impuso sobre Beat of the Drum, mientras Three Hearts quedó medio cuerpo atrás, en cuarto lugar.

Después de fracciones de 0:23.89, 0:48.36, 1:12.20 y 1:35.78, Full Ransom detuvo el marcador en 1:41.72. Dio una ganancia de USD 36.60.

Su desempeño irregular en la Kathryn Crosby fue un reflejo de su trayectoria. Después de haber ganado la Miesque de grado 3 en noviembre de 2013 en Hollywood Park en la tercera carrera de su trayectoria, Full Ransom sufrió un período de estancamiento hasta que se descubrió que tenía una lesión de rodilla, que se había originado después de un turf en Golden Gate en mayo de 2014.

El entrenador James Cassidy le dio un descanso de ocho meses, y la yegua volvió a competir este enero al mando de González, con

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18 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

mentó así sus ganancias totales a USD 228,700 y su récord total a 4-2-1 en 15 carreras. Ha tenido un desempeño muy bueno en la pista de turf de Del Mar: ganó dos carreras y estuvo en el podio en tres carreras. ■

I Spent It llega a Ocala Stud I Spent It, el potro hijo de Super Saver que ganó la Saratoga Special de grado 2 el año pasado, se ha retirado de las competencias y permanecerá en exposición en Ocala Stud, de J. Michael O’Farrell, durante 2016.

Pronto se determinará y anunciará una tarifa.

“I Spent It fue un potrillo de dos años muy talentoso, y tiene la apariencia física de un potrillo de USD 600,000”, destaca O’Farrell.

I Spent It, que pertenece a la primera camada de Super Saver, se retira con ganancias totales de USD 347,640 para sus dueños, Alex y JoAnn Lieblong y Three Chimneys Farm.

I Spent It

˜

COGLIANESE PHOTO

quien participó en las primeras seis carreras de su trayectoria. Si bien el entrenador no habla español y el jinete no habla inglés, los dos se comunicaron lo suficientemente bien para ayudar a la yegua de cuatro años a recuperar poco a poco su confianza y lograr una serie de buenas carreras en eventos de apuestas opcionales en Del Mar. No obstante, Full Ransom tuvo un desempeño poco sólido en la Swingtime Stakes de Santa Anita el 3 de octubre.

Ry Eikleberry reemplazó a González en la Swingtime, pero Cassidy pudo entender lo que el resultado final de la carrera de Full Ransom le indicaba, y le dio la posta a González para la Kathryn Crosby.

Full Ransom, criada por Gregg James, es hija de Full Mandate, hijo de A. P. Indy y de la yegua Retroesque, hija del caballo Red Ransom. Fue vendida por USD 25,000 en la venta de Barretts en mayo de 2013.

Obtuvo USD 46,740 de ganancias para su dueño, Deron Pearson’s DP Racing, e incre-

Es hijo de la yegua Rateeba, hija de Sky Mesa, y es familiar directo de Dixie Union.

“Es el primer ganador de carreras de grado 1 hijo de Super Saver y se postula como el mejor ganador de la Kentucky Derby que la industria ha visto desde Seattle Slew. Por lo tanto, creemos que I Spent It es un caballo

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tenido la esperanza de que Code Warrior pudiera participar en una carrera condicional como segunda carrera profesional. Sin embargo, como no se completó, optó por competir contra los potros.

“Ella sobresalía desde el comienzo”, señaló Badilla respecto de su prometedora yegua. “Nadie la ha podido vencer en los ejercicios, ni siquiera los potros y otros caballos.

Cada día, mejora más y más”. ■

Yegua criada en Florida triunfa en GG Una yegua joven criada en Florida y su jinete mujer —quien les había aconsejado a sus padres que hicieran la apuesta ganadora por la yegua en la subasta de purasangre de Texas el pasado abril— se impuso sobre todos los potros en Golden Gate el 7 de noviembre y logró una resonante victoria en la Golden Nugget Stakes de USD 52,255.

Code Warrior es una yegua de dos años que nació en el Estado del Sol: fue criada por Pamela Edel y es hija de Society’s Chairman y de la yegua Lady Natalie, hija de Runaway Groom.

Fue puesta en venta en la que podría haber sido la última subasta de purasangres de Texas. Siguiendo el consejo de su hija Annie, John y Chris Sanguinetti, que hacen negocios bajo el nombre de JC Racing Stable, com-

Florida-bred Code Warrior

praron a Code Warrior por USD 18,000.

Esta yegua de 2-2 ha recaudado unos USD 45,950.

Como única hembra de la competencia (sus rivales eran cinco potros y un capón), Code Warrior fue la favorita con 9-5 como resultado de la victoria de siete cuerpos que obtuvo contra otras yeguas jóvenes en Golden Gate el 28 de agosto.

Se enfrentó con la segunda apuesta Algenon al comienzo, tomó distancia en la primera recta y llegó a la meta sin complicaciones: se impuso por dos cuerpos y medio.

Algenon logró el segundo lugar, y Golden Rush Dancer se ubicó tercero después de seis furlongs en 1:09.68 Las fracciones fueron de 0:22.70, 0:46 y 0:57.85.

Code Warrior dio una ganancia de USD 5.60.

“Pensé que sería una competencia de velocidad más pareja”, confesó Sanguinetti. “En teoría, se suponía que iba a ser una carrera rápida. [Algenon] estaba allí, y él era el caballo al que había que vencer. Pensé que si estaba en la delantera y era el único que había que vencer, no aparecería desde atrás otro rival. Simplemente, no estaba preocupado por los demás.

Por un segundo, cuando llegué a la pista, pensé que Russell Baze sobre Algenon era una gran potencia por la forma en la que miraba. Cuando le di la orden a Code Warrior, salió a toda velocidad”.

El entrenador Manny Badilla indicó que, después de su sorprendente comienzo, había

Se retira East Hall East Hall, que recientemente finalizó quinto en la Sunshine Millions Classic Preview de USD 100,000 en Gulfstream Park West el 7 de octubre, sufrió una lesión en esa competencia, que puso fin a su carrera y se ha retirado, según un comunicado escrito emitido por sus dueños, Jack Hendricks y Roger Justice.

De acuerdo con el comunicado, East Hall “es un caballo fantástico, y nos sentimos bendecidos de tenerlo. Haremos todo lo que resulte necesario para garantizarle un buen retiro”.

East Hall, criado en Florida, es hijo de

Florida-bred East Hall

LAUREN KING PHOTO

BILL VASSAR PHOTO

muy interesante para el mercado de Florida, y los criadores se lanzarán sobre él cuando lo vean. Queremos agradecer al Sr. y la Sra. Lieblong y a Three Chimneys por la oportunidad de exponer a I Spent It en Ocala Stud”.

Como caballo entrenado de dos años con un valor de USD 600,000, I Spent It terminó con su condición de máiden siendo un potrillo en la carrera de máidens de peso especial de USD 75,000, que se llevó a cabo en Belmont en julio pasado.

Allí logró sortear los cinco furlongs en 0:58.

Un mes más tarde, tras un problemático viaje, el potro alazán se aventuró en Saratoga, donde obtuvo la Saratoga Special de USD 300,000 al superar por 2 ¾ cuerpos a Mr. Z en la recta.

Marcó un tiempo de 1:16.79 para los seis furlongs y medio, y obtuvo una Beyer de 85 por su actuación.

Con el entrenamiento de Tony Dutrow, I Spent It ocupó el podio en la prestigiosa carrera Hopeful de grado 1 de siete furlongs en Saratoga, y terminó sus dos años de vida con 116 libras en la Experimental Free Handicap de 2014.

Para obtener más información acerca de I Spent It, comuníquese con David o Joe O’Farrell al 352-237-2171 o visite OcalaStud.com. ■

Graeme Hall y de la yegua East Long Lake, hija de Sultry Song. Fue criado por Mary K. Haire de Dunnellon, Florida.

East Hall, un capón castaño, ganó seis de 28 carreras profesionales y obtuvo ganancias totales por USD 879,620. El año pasado, cuando tenía tres años, el caballo entrenado por Bill Kaplan ganó la Indiana Derby de grado 2, la Ohio Derby, de USD 300,000 y la Million Classic Preview Stakes de USD 100,000. También obtuvo la Sensitive Prince Stakes de USD 75,000 el 14 de septiembre. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 19

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PROFILE

Richard

A

rthur Appleton and Harold Plumley have been two of the more influential people in the Florida thoroughbred breeding industry—Appleton, with horses he bred and raised at his Bridlewood Farm, and Plumley with Plumley Farms. Of course, both are former board members and past presidents of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association but their years of serving in that capacity have long since passed.

Appleton and Plumley have also had a large influence on new FTBOA board member Richard Kent. As a former general manager at both Bridlewood and Plumley Farms, Kent worked with and learned from both men. And to this day, he admires them and refers to them repeatedly.

“I just admire both Arthur and Harold so much,” Kent said. “I think that was a very consistent thing between Arthur and Harold, their commitment to the Florida [thoroughbred] industry and how proud they were to raise, race and sell Florida-breds and watch them do well.”

Appleton passed away in 2008, but Plumley still resides on land formerly known as Plumley Farms

20 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

were Kent runs his Kaizen consignment operation.

“Harold still lives on the farm,” Kent said. “He still comes to me and says we could do this or we could do that. But his wife would kill me if I got him back into horses. We are very close to this day.”

Even the name of his consignment, Kaizen, Kent owes to Plumley.

“Kaizen was an idea that Harold and I came up with that was to have a sales arm for the farm.”

Kaizen is a Japanese term that refers to activities that continuously improve all functions.

“I always liked that,” Kent said. “So I told Harold that I’d try to continuously improve. He was really gracious when they dispersed and I asked Harold if I could keep [the name Kaizen.]

It was shortly after the dispersal of Plumley Farm in 2007 that Kent formed his Kaizen consignment, which concentrates on broodmares, weanlings and yearlings. Unlike many other consignors located in central Florida, Kent does not participate in the 2-year-old in training market.

“I’ve always enjoyed the training part of horses,” Kent said. “But I never got into the

SHERIDAN PHOTO

Kent

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PROFILE

RICHARD KENT

2-year-old market thinking you need to carve your own niche. A lot of those 2-year-old consignors are my customers. And I certainly don’t feel like I want to go and compete with them. I need to keep my customers.”

Kent apparently has done quite well at developing a customer base as he was the leading consignor at the Preferred Session of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Fall Mixed Sale, selling nine horses for $250,000 during the one-day session on Oct. 13.

“Over the last years while I’ve been on my own,” Kent said “we have gotten 2-year-olds ready, but rarely do they sell under the Kaizen banner. We have recommended an umpteen number of great consignors in Florida that do an excellent job with 2-year-olds. We usually send them over to them 60 or 90 days [before the sale.] I just feel like there are so many good consignors [of 2-year-olds] here that have supported me buying yearlings for a long period of time. So I certainly don’t need to be selling 2-year-olds.”

IT BEGAN WITH FAMILY IN CANADA

Kent was born in Vancouver, B.C. and says the first time he attended the races was in utero.

“My mother used to talk about a win picture she was in about five or six days before I was born. So I got an early start,” Kent said.

Kent’s father, Lionel, was an accountant but also bred and raced horses in Canada. The family moved to Montrel in 1960 when Lionel Kent took over a national accounting firm. But the family continued to stay involved in the thoroughbred business.

As a young man, Kent remained involved in the thoroughbred game through his father while he pursued his education. He went to high school in Ontario then went to the University of New Brunswick where he

Dad used to tell me that as long as the “guyMybuying the yearlings and the guy making the $2 bet were happy, then every other part of the industry will take care of itself. — Richard Kent

”

completed his undergraduate studies.

He then went on to obtain his master’s degree in education from Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia before he went to Northern Canada to teach for five years.

Although thoroughbreds were not a big part of his life while in college and then as a teacher, horses and horse racing where never too far away.

“I’ve always been in the horse game,” Kent said.

“Even when I was teaching school, I owned some

22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

horses and we raced them at Woodbine.

“When I moved to Ontario, from 1961 on, I’m proud to say that I have never missed a year at Saratoga yet— not one year. I’ve almost missed it but I have made at least some part of the Saratoga meet every year. I had to really work at it a couple of times, but we made it.”

FROM TEACHING TO THOROUGHBREDS

After five years of teaching language arts and social studies in junior high and high school, Kent decided to devote full time to the thoroughbred business so he returned to Ontario and started a farm with his brother, Michael “Punch” Kent.

“I just rekindled the name of my Dad’s farm, Hope Stock Farm, which was located just outside of London, Ont.,” Kent said. “My brother still operates Hope Stock Farm. He breeds under the Hope Stock banner and he’s bred a lot of good horses in Ontario.”

In 1985 Kent went out on his own and started Cantium Bloodstock (Cantium is Latin for Kent). Kent continues to have clients from those days including former Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society head Remi Gelner and Lynn Shinard of Bar None Ranch near Calgary. It was during that time, that he met Arthur and Martha Appleton.

“I had some horses on the farm for Arthur that he had sent up to Canada to foal. Then in 1990, he asked me to come down and become the general manager of Bridlewood. That’s what brought me to Ocala.”

THE APPLETON AND PLUMLEY INFLUENCE

Kent became the general manager at Bridlewood later that year and continues to be proud of the work they accomplished.

“When I look back on [my years at Bridlewood] now,” Kent said, “it was building up a fairly young broodmare band which still today has a tremendous influence on the breed. We bought the dam of Stormy Atlantic in foal with Stormy [Atlantic]. We purchased Serena’s Song. We purchased North of Eden, the dam of Forbidden Apple.

“I think one of the things I am most proud of is the horses that we bought have made a lasting influence on the Bridlewood legacy. Arthur was happy with what we accomplished, but only when we accomplished it for Bridlewood.”

Shortly after Appleton had suggested to Kent that they begin a pinhooking operation at Bridlewood, Kent and then assistant Bret Brinkman purchased a weanling filly

by Rahy out of the Northfields mare Imagining at the 1993 Keeneland November Sale for $42,000. A year

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later, they sold her for $150,000 to Robert and Beverly ing the yearlings and the guy making the $2 bet were Lewis of Southern California. According to Kent, Ap- happy, then every other part of the industry will take care pleton was very pleased with the profit from the sale until of itself. The $2 bettor is the responsibility of the track. the filly became Serena’s Song, the 1995 champion 3- As long as the guy buying the yearling or a race horse has an opportunity for a positive experience, we as year-old filly in North America. “[Appleton] was all happy when we bought Serena’s breeders will be okay.”

As expected, Kent plans to use his experience with Song,” Kent said. “And he was happy when we sold her.

But he was none too pleased when she went on and be- Appleton and Plumley to better serve the membership— a challenge he is happily anticipating. came Serena’s Song.”

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve on In 1999, Kent became president and chief operating officer at Plumley Farm and began a long standing rela- the board,” Kent said. “I’ve worked with both Harold tionship with Harold Plumley that continues today.

I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve on the board. I’ve At that time, Plumley Farm worked with both Harold and Arthur when they were on the board and they both was a partner in several stallions discussed a lot of things with me. So hopefully, I can provide a positive contribuwith Ocala Stud, standing stallions Trippi, Sweetsouthernsaint tion. And maybe, I’ll bring a different perspective to the board in terms of not and High Cotton. Also during being from one of the big farms. The majority of my clients are small breeders.

Kent’s tenure at the Marion It will be Florida’s loss if those breeders should disappear. So if I can bring their County facility, Plumley Farms perspective, I think I can have a positive influence. — Richard Kent bred, raced and sold Eclipse award winner, Florida champion and Breeders’ Cup winner Dubai Majesty.

“I just admire Harold so much,” Kent said. “My 11 or 12 years taught me so much. I still talk to him almost every day.”

While Kent considers Plumley and Appleton to somewhat be mentors of his since his arrival in Florida, he does not strike one who lives in the past.

“We have a new wave of leaders in the Florida thoroughbred industry,” Kent said. “We have somebody like Melissa Anthony who has done an incredibly good job promoting First Dude. When I show yearlings to clientele in Florida, I think I’m showing for some of the sharpest horsemen in North America. And we have generations of them—like the Rice, Casse and de Meric and Arthur when they were on the board and they both Richard Kent with families. There are some brilliant young people involved discussed a lot of things with me. So hopefully, I can Harold Plumley down here. They are a very sharp group.” provide a positive contribution. And maybe, I’ll bring a different perspective to the board in terms of not being NEW TO THE FTBOA BOARD from one of the big farms. The majority of my clients are Kent will be serving his first term on the FTBOA small breeders. It will be Florida’s loss if those breeders board of directors and looks forward to offering his input should disappear. So if I can bring their perspective, I think I can have a positive influence.” and leadership.

Richard Kent is a man that looks at things and draws “I think Florida seems to be on a much better track,” Kent said. “The racetracks seem to be working with the conclusions from more than one perspective. He is likely breeders and the breeders seem to be working with the sales to draw on his experience working with Arthur Appleton company a little better than we have in the past. I think that’s and Harold Plumley as well as try to see things from the something that needs to be exploited even more. I think that perspective of today’s younger horsemen. He has worked if the product at the racetrack is on the upswing, then the with two of the larger farms in Florida history while breeder that has those six mares and struggling to make a today selling and working with the many small breeders.

And likely, he will take that approach to the FTBOA profit every year will be the beneficiary.

“My Dad used to tell me that as long as the guy buy- board room. ■

“

SERITA HULT PHOTOS

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PROFILE M A R K C A S S E

By MIKE MULLANEY

M

ark Casse has been checking off the boxes lately, meeting many of the challenges that confront, and occasionally confound, a successful horseman.

In 2014, after an 0-17 start, he won his first Queen’s Plate.

In 2015, after an 0-25 start, he won his first Breeders’ Cup race – did it twice, as a matter of fact.

“I got the monkey off my back with the Queen’s Plate, and I got the monkey off my back with the Breeders’ Cup,” he said while taking a visitor for a leisurely stroll around his Moonshadow Farm in Ocala.

“Just one more monkey left.”

He didn’t need to say that the last monkey resides in Louisville, Ky., in full swing from the Churchill Downs spires on May’s first Saturday.

Preparation for a Derby triumph will be part of what occupies Casse’s professional pursuit this winter, but a large part of that time will also be spent on the business of Florida racing and breeding.

The man who calls himself “an Ocala boy, through and through” has taken his seat on the board of the Florida Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders’ Association.

He acknowledges that, unlike his challenges on the racetrack, he won’t be starting from scratch while on the FTBOA board.

“I’m excited about how things are going in Florida recently,” he said. “For the first time in 35 years, the first time ever, I’ll be looking to buy Florida-breds because they are 24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Florida-breds. It looks like what’s going on in South Florida is working: The purses at Gulfstream Park are high enough that you can race in Florida the year-round, and purses drive everything.

“If the purses continue to be high … that will get people’s attention. I plan to keep a stable of horses in Florida yearround, which is something that I have never done.”

The welfare of the state’s racing and breeding industry has been a matter of concern for the Casse family since his father, Norman, relocated his family to Ocala from Indiana.

The elder Casse, who had been selling fire equipment in Indiana, became smitten with the action of wheeling and dealing thoroughbreds and in 1970 he decided to move the family south.

Immediately he saw ways to improve the manner in which business was being conducted and, after an unsatisfactory experience selling 2-year-olds in Miami, he saw an opportunity to create a sales company in Florida’s horse capital. Along with Joseph M. O’Farrell, Harry Mangurian and others he became a founding partner of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. and, until his retirement in 2006, he served as its chairman for 28 years, overseeing its growth from selling horses out of cattle pens to what it is now a

SLOAN PHOTO

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PROFILE

globally recognized top-flight operation and source of quality racing and breeding stock.

MARK CASSE Meanwhile, he raised three sons who took their place in the industry: the youngest, Justin, 34, operates Casse Sales; middle son John, 51, owns racehorses and is in the business of equine insurance, and Mark, 54, has been a jack of all trades and master of each.

He mucked stalls for his father as a child, and managed the barn at 15; at 17 he received his first trainer’s license, winning with his first three starters, all at the Great Barrington Fair, “The Belmont of the Berkshires,” in Massachusetts, and at 18 won his first major-circuit race at Keeneland.

Never losing contact with Ocala, he became private trainer and general manager of Mangurian’s Mockingbird Farm, then moved on with Sez Who Racing after Mangurian’s holdings were dispersed in 2000. He stayed with Sez Who before he and his wife Tina started Casse Racing in 2002.

Mitch Downs, who worked with Norman Casse’s Churchill string in 1980, and Cindy Black, who Mark met at Mockingbird, have remained with Casse when he and his wife Tina started Casse Racing and Moonshadow.

“I’m very proud of the people I have working with me. They know me, they know what I want and they’re very loyal. That’s what makes us so strong,” he said.

His staff, as well as Tina, his son and assistant Norm, and six other chil. They dren endured the disapknow me, they know what I want and pointments of past Queen’s Plates until their star filly they’re very loyal. That’s what makes Lexie Lou broke through us so strong. —Mark Casse to beat the boys in 2014.

And they endured the Breeders’ Cup drought that ended Oct. 30 with Catch a Glimpse’s success in the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf, followed the next day by the filly Tepin’s resounding score against males in the $2 million Mile.

While some of the game’s biggest prizes had, until recently, eluded him, Casse has earned seven Sovereign Awards as Canada’s top trainer, and has enlisted a roster of major clients, beginning with Mangurian, and followed

by Eugene Melnyk, Will Farish, John Oxley, Gary Barber and, most recently, Charlotte Weber and her Live Oak Stable, and Ernie Semersky and his Conquest Stable.

“I take great pride in the fact that people like that trust me,” he said. “Probably makes me work a lot harder.”

That roll call, and the trust that has developed between owner and trainer, has elevated Casse’s presence in winner’s circles and sales rings throughout the country.

But there have also been setbacks, beginning with the passing of longtime friend and associate Mike Anderson last year. His death sent the barn reeling and it’s easy to pick up on Casse’s regret that his longtime friend and associate wasn’t there to share in the Breeders’ Cup victories.

The stable itself also suffered loss: Classic aspirant Danzig Moon and the quality sprinter Conquest Two Step, who was a neck away from beating Shared Belief in last year’s Malibu, were both lost, Danzig Moon when he broke down in the Plate Trial and Conquest Two Step

proud of the people “II’mhaveveryworking with me

MULLANEY PHOTO

”

26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

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when he injured himself coming out of surgery.

“These are our kids, you know?” he first told Nicole Russo of the Daily Racing Form. “We love them, and we take this very seriously, especially the people that work with them. It’s just ... it’s brutal.”

Reiterating the words he has often used to express the impact those losses have had on he and his staff, Casse’s humanism becomes obvious to the listener, and his staff will tell you it’s one of the traits that has kept them with Casse Racing through the years.

In addition to his compassion, Casse’s experience as

someone ultimately responsible for an all-purpose facility such as Moonshadow, where young horses are broken and racehorses are freshened, and as supervisor of a continental-wide racing operation – with divisions at various times in California, Canada, Kentucky and New York and, soon, Florida – will be invaluable.

“I’m going to be looking at the big picture,” he said.

“I train and buy a lot of horses, and it will be a good thing to have someone [on the board] who has the ability to see what happens in other jurisdictions.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge.” ■

Mark Casse and Tepin, winner of the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Mile

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 27

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FTBOA MEMBER UPDATE

Keeping members informed

SAY NO TO DECOUPLING

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Members have been receiving a number of updates regarding decoupling efforts. Thank you for all those who have contacted FTBOA and responded to your legislators with letters, emails and phone calls. If you have not already done so, you still can. In fact, we are needing your assistance to flood the legislators with letters and e-mails opposing decoupling. From now throughout the winter, educating our legislators on this issue is important. We’ve received a number of walk-ins and calls regarding communication with legislators. We’ve assisted members in drafting their letters or scripts for

Members will receive renewals in the mail in December. The dues remain the same and additional discounts have been added for 2016, along with current benefits and discounts. The member application is autofilled for your convenience and you are provided with a stamped envelope for easy return. Also, for your convenience, the form is now available in auto-fill format on the new website at www.ftboa.com. Members can complete the form and print it from online. In the near future, membership payments will also be able to be taken online.

Members also can still mail their renewals/payments or fax by providing a credit card number or call, whichever method is most convenient. Prompt payment ensures uninterrupted services.

Each year, there are a few members who do not receive their full benefits of membership because they wait to renew at foal registration time in August. This means they miss the April/May issue of The Florida Horse and also the June/July issue of the Farm & Service Directory in addition to not being able to participate in the member discount program for farm services, hotels, restaurants and other business partnerships. Lapsed members also miss key communications regarding pertinent deadlines and industry updates. Payment by March 1 ensures uninterrupted services.

During our membership renewals, we also encourage our existing members to talk to their clients, interested friends and family about joining as regular members if they have a Florida thoroughbred or as associate members so they can learn more about the industry. We have been growing membership with new breeders, owners and also associate memberships. We want to spread the word about our industry here in Florida and encouraging new members is one way to do so.

Florida Thoroughbred Charities Stallion Season Charity Auction January 27 immediately following the opening session of the OBS sale To register to bid or place an advance bid, please visit www.ftboa.com or e-mail tgantt@ftboa.com for further information.

The list of stallions will be posted by January 3 at www.ftboa.com and bidder’s information is also online. Please be sure to bid as this is the largest fundraiser of the year for the Florida Thoroughbred Charities which funds the Second Chance Farm for retired thoroughbreds at the Lowell Correctional Institute where women inmates receive an equine certification degree as part of the program. The funds also are awarded for student scholarships.

SAY

NO Sign the Petition Today

to Decoupling

calling members of Florida government. A number of members have become very engaged in the fight for no decoupling, in particular Laurine Fuller Vargas who began a no decoupling petition on Change.org. FTBOA encourages anyone who will be affected by it to sign the petition she began in the FTBOA offices or online. Fuller-Vargas has been a focus of several news stories and also on the radio talking about the devastating outcome it would have on the thoroughbred industry. She is truly a member who is engaged and making a difference.

Also in your efforts, FTBOA is a resource of economic information, can assist you in planning/preparing your letter/e-mail and can provide contacts and encouragement for your efforts.

Call 352-629-2160 or e-mail tgantt@ftboa.com.

28 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

FLORIDA SIRE STAKES UPCOMING DEADLINES

January 15 Two year old deadline - $250 final payment February 15 Stallion registration deadline $2,000

HOLIDAY CHARITY GIVING

Second Chances Thoroughbred Retirement Farm The program is looking for books on equine massage, equine therapy, equine careers, braiding and clipping. They are also in need of gently worn or new saddles, bridles, blankets, and halters, a new John Deere Gator and John Deere tractor. Small items and cash donations can be dropped off or mailed to the Florida Thoroughbred Charities at 801 SW 60th Avenue, Ocala Florida 34474. Drop-offs are also accepted at Roma Italian Restaurant in Ocala.

For larger donations please call 352-629-2160.

Donations of horse art and horse related items are also accepted with advance notice for silent auctions, charity raffles and charity art sales.

For more information, call 352-629-2160.

GOT A PIECE OF FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED HISTORY?

FTBOA and FTC have recently received a number of wonderful collections that will be incorporated into the museum, exhibitions in the community and for use in the research library for those writing articles and books on the industry, the horses, the people and the tracks that make up our thoroughbred heritage here in Florida. If you have a significant piece of history, please contact us. ■

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The racehorse versions of the Energizer Bunny, six Florida-breds in the 2015 racing season to date have garnered the title of old warriors.

By JOANN GUIDRY or myriad reasons, racehorses can have a relatively short racing shelf life.

Some are just not suited, mentally or physically, for the rigors of the sport. Others excel early on and then burn out quickly. A select few reach the high echelons of racing, only to then become more valuable as a stallion or a broodmare than a racehorse.

Then there are the old warriors. Usually geldings, they race on way past the industry’s usual best-by date, often changing hands through the claiming ranks or private sales. They become barn and fan favorites, always giving it their best even in defeat. Some dip their hooves in stakes company with varying degrees of success. But on they run because being a racehorse has become their job.

In the 2015 racing season to date, six Florida-breds have definitely earned the title of old warrior. For the purpose of this article, a horse had to be at least 7 years old and won at least one stakes race in 2015. Earning their Old Warriors badge at this writing are: Ron the Greek, Dazzled Saint, Aquinnah, Star Harbour, Manchurian High and Grande Shores. At 8, Ron the Greek and Dazzled Saint are the elder statesmen of the group with the rest all being 7 years old. Three are stallions (Ron the Greek, Star Harbour and Grande Shores), two are geldings (Dazzled Saint and Manchurian High) and Aquinnah is the lone mare.

Ron the Greek, Manchurian High, Grande Shores and Star Harbour have been racing since they were 2 years old. Dazzled Saint and Aquinnah didn’t make their first starts until they were 3 and 4, respectively. Careerwise to date as a group, they have

F

30 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

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Old

DAVID ALCOSSER PHOTO

Warriors

Ron The Greek had 2 wins out of 2 starts in 2015

made 228 starts, won 73 races, tallied 18 stakes wins, posted 32 stakes-placings and earned a total of more than $4.9 million. Grande Shores has made the most career starts with 48 and Dazzled Saint the fewest with 31.

Ron the Greek and Grande Shores are tied with the most career wins at 14. Ron the Greek tops the group with the most career stakes wins (9), career graded stakes wins (4) and career bankroll ($2,763,694 million).

RON THE GREEK Multimillionaire Ron the Greek has had a stellar racing career in not one, but two countries. He has raced for three different entities and won nine stakes at seven different racetracks, including one in the desert. And along the way, he has banked $2,763,694 to date.

Bred by Jack T. Hammer, Ron the Greek raced solely for his breeder for two seasons as a 2 and 3 year old. As a sophomore runner, he won the 2010 Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds. In 2011, Ron the Greek was raced

by Hammer, Brous Stable and Wachtel Stable. New ownership, same winning results. He rolled to victories in the Queens County Stakes and Sunny and Mild Stakes, both at Aqueduct.

32 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

As good as those early seasons had been, Ron the Greek got even better with age. In 2012, he scored impressive Grade 1 victories in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and Stephen H. Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs. Add to that seconds in the Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1) at Saratoga and Oaklawn Handicap (G2) that season. In 2013, Ron the Greek tallied wins in the Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) at Belmont Park and in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Gulfstream Park.

Trained by Bill Mott, Ron the Greek earned $1,326,932 in 2012 and $1,138,094 in 2013.

After his Jockey Club Gold Cup victory, Ron the Greek was sold privately to the sons of the late King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz and had his passport stamped to Saudi Arabia. He races in that country under the name of Wattani, which means “my country” in Arabic. In 2015, he won the Crown Prince Cup (G2-S.A.) on Jan. 3 and The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (G1S.A.) on Feb. 14, both at Al Janadriah Racecourse in Riyadh. Both races are considered group races in Saudi Arabia, but are not recognized as such by the North American Jockey Club.

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Ron The Greek 2007 bay horse by Full Mandate – Flambe’,

by Fortunate Prospect Breeder: Jack T. Hammer Owner: King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz sons Trainer: Nicholas Bachalard 2015 Race Record/Earnings: 2-2-0-0/$29,842 2015 Stakes Record 1st – Crown Prince Cup (G2-SA) 1st – The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Cup (G1-SA) Career Race Record/Stakes Wins/Earnings: 36-14-54/9/$2,763,694

DAZZLED SAINT Since making his first start as a 3-year-old, Dazzled Saint has been a consistent performer. In his 31 lifetime starts to date, he has been on the board 24 times, including 12 wins. Racing primarily in allowance/optional claiming races at his Presque Isle

Downs base, he has earned a tidy $426,010. His most lucrative season to date was in 2011, when he posted three wins and one second in six starts to bank $110,830. Also that same season, Dazzled Saint set a track record at Presque Isle Downs of :50.22 for four and-a-half furlongs.

Outside his allowance comfort zone, sprint specialist Dazzled Saint has an affinity for the $100,000 Karl Boyes Memorial Stakes. He earned his first blacktype with a show finish in the 2012 edition at Presque Isle.

In 2015, he mastered the event to notch his first stakes victory as a veteran 8-year-old runner. Dazzled Saint won by a neck over Choctaw Chuck with Go Blue Or Go Home in third. Winning time for the five and a half furlongs was 1:02.70. For owner/trainer W. John Bourke, Dazzled Saint has put $81,800 in the bank to date this season.

Bred by Francis Rover, Dazzled Saint is by Saint Afleet out of the Homebuilder mare Safe At Home.

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Dazzled Saint has bankrolled $81,800 to date this season.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 33

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Old

Aquinnah has earned $136,934 to date this season.

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Warriors

DAZZLED SAINT 2007 bay gelding by Saint Afleet – Safe At Home,

by Homebuilder Breeder: Francis Rover Owner/Trainer: W. John Bourke 2015 Race Record/Earnings: 3-2-0-1/$81,800 2015 Stakes Record 1st – Karl Boyes Memorial Stakes Career Race Record/StakesWins/Earnings: 31-12-5-7/1/$426,010

AQUINNAH The lone mare in the 2015 old warriors class, Aquinnah definitely has the legitimate credentials. Bred by Anthony Lenci, the bay mare by City Place out of Oglala Sue, by Verzy, didn’t even make her first start until she was age 4. But she figured out her job quickly.

At 6 years old, the turf specialist notched her first career stakes placing with a third in the Klassy Briefcase Stakes at Monmouth Park. In 41 career starts to date, Aquinnah has been on the board 36 times, including 13 wins, to earn $359,580.

And at 7 years old, when most racemares have become broodmares, Aquinnah has become a stakes winner. On Jan. 22 at Gulfstream Park, trainer Jane Cibelli

34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

claimed Aquinnah for $20,000 on behalf of current owner Patriot Stable. It proved to be a very good claim.

On April 12, Aquinnah won the Sunset Stakes at Gulfstream Park by three-quarters of a length over Satan’s Mistress. Her winning time for the five-furlong turf sprint was a speedy :55.66.

In addition to the Sunset Stakes win, Aquinnah has also posted a second to Joya Real in the Blue Sparkler Stakes at Monmouth Park. In addition, she snagged a deadheat third with Shrinking Violet to Ageless in The Very One Stakes at Pimlico Race Course. Aquinnah is having her best season yet with $136,934 earned to date.

AQUINNAH 2008 bay mare by City Place – Oglala Sue, by Verzy Breeder: Anthony Lenci Owner: Patriot Stable Trainer: Jane Cibelli 2015 Race Record/Earnings: 9-3-2-2/$136,934 2015 Stakes Record 1st – Sunset Stakes 2nd – Blue Sparkler Stakes 3rd – The Very One Stakes Career Race Record/Stakes Wins/Earnings: 41-13-8-5/1/$359,580

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MANCHURIAN HIGH

MANCHURIAN HIGH 2008 chestnut gelding by The Daddy – Corredor’s Wind,

by El Corredor Breeder: Greg Norman Owner/Trainer: Lilli Kurtinecz 2015 Race Record/Earnings: 8-2-0-1/$127,123 2015 Stakes Record 1st – Florida Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes 3rd – John’s Call Stakes Career Race Record/Stakes Wins/Earnings: 38-9-3-9/2/$390,593

GRANDE SHORES Fred and Jane Brei’s Jacks Or Better Farm homebred Grande Shores is having a big racing career. He has to date made 48 starts while recording 14 wins, 16 seconds and five thirds. Included in those latter numbers are two stakes wins and 11 stakes-placings on his way to earning $471,069.

Grande Shores gave an early preview of things to come with a second in the 2010 Dr. Fager Stakes of the then Florida Stallion Stakes at Calder Race Course. But when he turned 5, things really became grande fun. In

Manchurian High is having an outstanding 2015 season with $127,123 in earnings to date

KENNY MARTIN PHOTO

A 2008 chestnut gelding by The Daddy out of the El Corredor mare Corredor’s Wind, Manchurian High was originally sold for a mere $1,000. Bred by Greg Norman, he was consigned to the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s 2009 August yearling sale. It was there that Rey de Oros and Jose L. Ramirez signed the ticket for that bargain price. Since then, Manchurian High has gone on to become a multiple stakes winner and graded stakes-placed earner of $390,593.

Manchurian High showed promise early on in his career. He posted a third in the 2010 Saratoga Special Stakes (G3) and a third in the 2012 Laurel Turf Cup Stakes. In 2014, he had a breakout season, coming back to win the Laurel Turf Cup Stakes. Also that season, he was third in both the W.L. McKnight Handicap (G3) at Gulfstream Park and John’s Call Stakes at Saratoga.

Currently raced and trained by Lilli Kurtinecz, Manchurian High is having an outstanding 2015 season to date. On Jan. 17 at Gulfstream Park, he captured the Florida Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes by three anda-quarter lengths. His winning time for the mile and one-sixteenths was 1:43.3. Later in the summer at Saratoga, he followed that with another third in the John’s Call Stakes. Then in an allowance race at

Keeneland on Oct. 2, Machurian High established a course record of 1:45.43 for a mile and one-sixteenths.

To date, he has 2015 earnings of $127,123.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 35

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Old

Warriors

GRANDE SHORES 2008 bay horse by Black Mambo – Sexy Stockings,

by Tabasco Cat Breeder/Owner: Jacks Or Better Farm Trainer: Stanley Gold 2015 Race Record/Earnings: 8-2-3-2/$126,108 2015 Stakes Record 1st – Parrot Key Stakes 2nd – Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3) 2nd – Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes 2nd – Blue Heron Handicap 3rd – Trinniberg Stakes 3rd – Groomstick Stakes Career Race Record/Stakes Wins/Earnings: 48-14-16-5/2/$471,069

STAR HARBOUR Call Star Harbour a star in his own right. After a slow start as a 2 and 3 year old, Star Harbour has since gone on to tally three stakes wins and six stakes placings. In three consecutive seasons as a 4, 5 and 6 year old, he earned more than $100,000 each year. Now 7, Star Harbour is on the verge of a fourth season over that mark with $98,015 banked to date. His career bankroll to date is a hefty $563,839.

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Grande Shores has hit the board 7 out of 8 times with 2 wins to date this season.

2013, the Stanley Gold trainee was second in the Montbrook Stakes and third in the Rapid Transit Stakes, both at Gulfstream Park. He also added a third in the Ponche Handicap at Calder to that season’s chart.

At 6, Grande Shores scored his first stakes win of the year when he won the 2014 Rapid Transit Stakes at Gulfstream Park. He also notched a pair of seconds in the Housebuster Stakes and Kenny Noe Jr. Stakes to bring his bankroll to $173,468 on the season.

Now the grand age of 7, Grande Shores won the 2015 Parrot Key Stakes on June 6 at Gulfstream Park.

His margin of victory was three-quarters of a length over Trev with City of Weston third. Winning time for the six and half furlongs was 1:16.41. Also this season to date, Grande Shores has scored a trio of seconds in stakes company: Fred W. Hooper Stakes (G3), Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes and Blue Heron Handicap.

He was also third in both the Trinniberg Stakes and Groomstick Stakes this season. To date in 2015, he has earned $126,108.

By Black Mambo, Grande Shores is out of the multiple stakes producer Sexy Stockings, by Tabasco Cat. Grande Shores is a half-brother to Florida-bred Grade 1 millioniare Jackson Bend, stakes winner Garter Belt, as well as stakesplaced Southern Barbecue and Brighton Lane.

36 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

SV PHOTOGRAPHY

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Bred by Peter and Anne Vegso, Star Harbour tallied his first stakes win in the 2013 Sunshine State Stakes at Gulfstream Park. That same season, he was third in both the Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream and Duck Dance Stakes at Belmont Park to earn $125,100.

Star Harbour came back strong in 2014, winning the Hollywood Gaming Mahoning Sprint Stakes in track record time. He set a track record of 1:12.89 for six furlongs at Mahoning Valley Race Course. Also added to his career chart was a second in the Senator Robert C. Byrd Memorial Stakes, with thirds in both the Webb Snyder Charles Town Dash Stakes and Florida Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes.

Currently raced by Billy, Donna and Justin Hays, Star Harbour won the 2015 Pelican Stakes by a nose on January 24 at Tampa Bay Downs. Coming in second was Helooksthepart with Risk Factor taking third.

Winning time for the six furlongs was 1:10.78. Also at Tampa Bay Downs this season, the Joe Woodard trainee was second in the Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn and Suites Sprint Stakes. ■

Star Harbour is closing in on his fourth season of at least $100,000 in earnings worth $98,015 to date.

STAR HARBOUR 2009 bay horse by Indian Charlie – Snug Harbour,

by Boston Harbor Breeders: Peter & Anne Vegso Owners: Billy, Donna & Justin Hays Trainer: Joe Woodard 2015 Race Record/Earnings: 5-2-1-1/$98,015 2015 Stakes Record 1st – Pelican Stakes 2nd – Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn and Suites Sprint Stakes Career Race Record/Stakes Wins/Earnings: 34-11-7-8/2/$563,839 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 37

AcceleratedEarningPowerNov_Florida Horse_template 11/23/15 4:11 PM Page 38

Increased Purses

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

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

2016 THREE-YEAR-OLD FILLY DIVISION August - Three Ring Stakes - 7 furlongs-Dirt - $150,000 September - Jewel Princess Stakes - 1 mile-Turf - $150,000 October - Meadow Star Stakes - 1 1/16 miles-Dirt - $150,000

2016 THREE-YEAR-OLD COLT DIVISION August - Unbridled Stakes - 7 furlongs-Dirt - $150,000 September - Prized Stakes - 1 mile-Turf - $150,000 October - Foolish Pleasure Stakes - 1 1/16 miles-Dirt - $150,000

AcceleratedEarningPowerNov_Florida Horse_template 11/18/15 3:55 PM Page 39

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COGLIANESE PHOTO

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AcceleratedEarningPowerNov_Florida Horse_template 11/18/15 3:55 PM Page 40

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

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

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

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

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

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

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

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse

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

AcceleratedEarningPowerNov_Florida Horse_template 11/18/15 3:55 PM Page 41

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2016 Florida Sire Stakes Program Deadlines & Payments (Foals of 2014) Includes eligibility in Florida Sire Stakes series, two-year-old and 2017 three-year-old supplemental stakes

2013 – Stallion registered with FTBOA 2014 – No weanling payment required

Before/on May 15 - $250; May 16 through Nov. 15 - $500

2015 – Yearling payment required:

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

MillionsPreview_Florida Horse_template 11/23/15 4:13 PM Page 42

Florida-breds put on

Good crowd under good weather sets Preview handle mark

By MIKE MULLANEY —MIAMI GARDENS

B

ookended by Old Time Hockey’s thrilling tally in a four-horse photo in the Turf Preview and Li’l Meatball’s victory over a couple of classy youngsters in the Juvenile Sprint, The Sunshine Millions Preview program on Nov. 7 at Gulfstream Park West was, by any rational measure, a popular success.

42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

LESLIE MARTIN PHOTO

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Old Time Hockey, tongue out and nose down, wins a four horse photo in the Turf Preview

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Sunshine Millions

PREVIEW

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Brandy’s Girl was 43⁄4-length winner in the Juvenile Filly Sprint

On a sun-splashed day a crowd that officials estimated at about 2,250 wandered into the bare-boned remnants of the former Calder Race Course to take in a program that included eight $100,000 stakes for Florida-breds, with $200,000 of the total purse amount coming from the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Fund.

The infield toteboard was not in operation and spectators were limited to the apron and a small horsemen’s tent, but nary a complaint was heard, and total handle on the program reached $5,684,886, significantly higher than last year’s total of $5,223,847.

The preview races served as preps for the Sunshine Millions, which will be run at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 16.

A pelting rain broke out during the first race on the card but the sun was out and the skies clear by the time the field for the second, the Turf Preview, reached the paddock.

The crowd’s focus fell on Grade 2-winning/Grade 1placed Reporting Star, and last year’s champion Floridabred turf horse went off at 2-5 with Paco Lopez up for the first time.

Longshot Padilla cut the pace until the serious running began. Reporting Star – racing inside after recovering from a bobble at the break – Rizwan and One Step Salsa took over, but the gallant Old Time Hockey, coming out of a 19-length victory at Parx in what amounted to a match race in optional-claiming company, was rolling under Ron Allen.

The 6-year-old Glen Hill homebred struck the lead at the right time, getting his head in front at the wire.

Rizwan and One Step Salsa deadheated for second with Reporting Star a head back in fourth.

Allen and Florida have special appeal to the winning gelding: in 10 starts in his home state he has 4-4-1 record and, with Allen riding in Florida, he has won three of four starts with the lone loss coming by a head.

“He’s a great horse to ride,” Allen said. “You get him into the bit early and he’ll deliver for you in the stretch.

44 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Down the backside I thought I was going to win easy, but they were running kind of slow up front. I had to ride him pretty good coming down the stretch.”

Fractions for the race were :24.01, :49.48, 1:13.75 and 1:38.54 with a final time for the 1 1/16 miles 1:44.60. Old Time Hockey paid $10.

The $60,605 first prize raised his total earnings to $550,280. His overall record is 8-5-3 from 34 starts. The gelded son of Smarty Jones out of Grat, by A.P. Indy is trained by Tom Proctor, who spent the day at his Del Mar barn where, for hunch players and hockey buffs, he won the first race with a horse named “Esposito.”

JUVENILE FILLY SPRINT

Brandy’s Girl was sent off at 2-5 and that may have been an overlay. Making every pole a winning one, the daughter of Posse out of Don’t Stop Dreamin, by West Acre – owned, trained and bred by Eddie Broome – set fractions of :22.29, :45.59, 1:11.82, stopping the clock at 1:18.59 over a track labeled “fast.”

She paid $2.80 after hitting the wire 4¾ lengths clear

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of second choice Silent Prayer. Rontos Lily was third in the field of seven.

Running at Monmouth until her recent arrival in South Florida, Brandy’s Girl was coming out of a 12¼length maiden victory Sept. 26.

Broome indicated he is in no rush to pencil in her next race: “I don’t think she’s the kind of filly that needs to run every 30 days,” he said.

TURF SPRINT PREVIEW

LAUREN KING PHOTO

The 5-year-old mare Jewel of a Cat rewarded her new trainer with a three-length victory over the boys, easily holding off runner-up Katie’s Kiss, who finished a head in front of the deadheating Delta Bluesman and Noble Prince.

The winner, bred by Mr. and Mrs. Marty Hersche, is a daughter of Wildcat Heir out of Marbleous Routine, by Pentelicus, who is owned by J and J Stables and GSP Stables.

“All she needed was a little TLC,” said trainer Carlo Vaccarezza, who later in the program would win the Juvenile Turf.

Jewel of a Cat had been running out of Ben Perkens’ shedrow at Monmouth prior to her recent arrival in South Florida. Her overall mark is 6-6-2 from 22 starts but only two of those starts have been in Florida, where she won the Ladies Turf Sprint in February at Gulfstream and, prior to that, was second in the Sparkler at GPW last November.

LESLIE MARTIN PHOTO

(Above) Jewel of a Cat easily beat the boys in the Turf Sprint Preview (Below) Saraguaro broke last in a field of seven, but his late kick earned him the win in the Classic Preview.

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Sunshine Millions

Legal Laura bested the 2-5 favorite Flutterby in the Distaff Preview.

LAUREN KING PHOTO

PREVIEW

Jewel of a Cat, with Lopez up, was on the early pace with Noble Prince. Fractions were :21.37, and :44.89 with a final time of :56.80 for the five furlongs over firm turf. She paid $11.60. The winner’s purse of $60,140 boosted her earnings to $390,590.

Bo Hunt, agent, sold Jewel of a Cat at the OBS April sale of 2012 for $40,000.

“We’ve always thought [Saraguaro] was a nice horse,” said his trainer. “He ran a good second to Danzig Moon, who went to the [Kentucky] Derby, and after that he just wasn’t right.

“We couldn’t figure out anything, so we decided to just stop with him.”

After a five-month break, he broke through at 3-10 in his return on July 15. He put in a clunker in the Florida Sire Stakes’ Unbridled Stakes at seven furlongs Aug. 8, then ran third in the slop at a mile Aug. 27 prior to his two-length tally, at 19-1, in the FSS’ Foolish Pleasure, going 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream on Oct. 3.

“The last two races we changed the blinkers on him and went to a fuller cup,” Joseph said. “Two turns is what he wants.

“The last couple of races things have really come together for him. It looked like they were trying to get to him at the end [of the Preview], but if you look at the replay he galloped out five lengths ahead.”

Castro said, “At the three-eighths pole I started to ride the horse and nobody came with me. He felt great. He stayed in the bit and had a nice kick at the finish.”

Fractions were :24.47, :49.40, 1:13.69 and 1:39.33 with a final time of 1:45.65. Saraguaro paid $7.20. The $61,070 first prize raised his earnings to $205,404. The son of Express Tour out of Return to Mom, by Deputy Minister, a two-time OBS sales grad most recently purchased by TAG for $33,000, was bred by Karen Silva. His record after 10 starts is 3-1-2.

DISTAFF PREVIEW

CLASSIC PREVIEW

An emerging star shone was on display once again as the Thoroughbred Acquisition Group’s 3-year-old Saraguaro whipped a field that included older horses by 1¼ lengths. Nauset Beach was second and Southern Barbecue was third. East Hall, last year’s winner of this race and the 7-5 favorite, finished fifth.

Saraguaro broke last of seven but gradually moved up in the 1 1/16-mile race, coming off the final turn two lengths in front of Nauset Beach. He was throttled down in the run to the wire by Eddie Castro and was a comfortable winner.

Saraguaro has been a work in progress for his young trainer, Saffie Joseph Jr., son of the co-owner.

When he took over the colt’s training he equipped the horse with blinkers: The results initially were inconclusive as the horse fell. Persevering, Joseph said he tweaked the blinkers and Saraguaro next ran second to the talented, star-crossed Danzig Moon in a maiden at Gulfstream in February.

46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

The sentimental, and heavy favorite at 2-5, was Flutterby, bred, owned and trained by 94year-old Jerry Bozzo, but the winner was Legal Laura, who came away from the field in the stretch run and hit the wire 2½ lengths ahead of My Miss Venezuela.

Flutterby, scorched in a duel with Moment of Delight that led to a half-mile in :45.11 after an opening quarter-mile in :22.20, had little to offer when challenged but she did hold third, 3½ lengths ahead of her fourth-place pace rival.

Legal Laura paid $17.20 after finishing the seven furlongs in 1:23.48 with Antonio

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Gallardo up. The winner is a Gilbert Campbell homebred daughter of Wildcat Heir out of Arealhotlover, by Untuttable.

“It’s so great to win this race for Mr. Campbell, who has put so much into this game,” trainer Kathleen O’Connell said of her client of 25 years. “My hat’s off to him.”

Legal Laura, who has a 3-0-1 record from four starts at GPW, has won five of 14 career races with two seconds and five thirds. The $60,605 prize boosted the 4year-old’s earnings to $194,750.

JUVENILE TURF

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Program rider Joe Bravo, in the process of shipping south, couldn’t get to GPW in time for the Preview and for that reason his mount on Little Nick V. went to Jeffrey Sanchez.

And after the race, Sanchez couldn’t thank Vacarezza enough.

Stalking the early pace of Warrior A.P. and Golden Pirate, Little Nick V. and Sanchez, moving with Ian Smith, Light the Light and, from farther back, Leonardi Da Vinci. They finished widest of all, putting their nose down just in time to win it.

Live Oak’s Light the Night, impressive in finishing second after a troubled run, was a head in front of Ian Smith with Leonardo Da Vinci a neck farther back in fourth.

LESLIE MARTIN PHOTO

(Above) Pancake is now two-for-two with her win in the Juvenile Filly Turf.

(Below) After an unavoidable jockey change, Little Nick V. managed the win in the Juvenile Turf.

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Sunshine Millions

PREVIEW

Little Nick V., Light the Night and Leonardo Da Vinci came into the race as maidens.

Final time for the mile on a firm course was 1:39.69 after fractions of :24.53, :50.47 and 1:14.50. Little Nick V., a son of Colonel John out of Compionessa, by A.P. Indy bred by Hickstead Farm, has a 1-1-1 mark after his third race and has earnings of $76,140, the bulk of which came from the $60,140 first prize from this race. He paid $17.80.

He’s owned by Little Dreams Racing.

JUVENILE FILLY TURF

Li’l Meatball, bred and owned by Maine restaurateur George Kerr, was in front at every pole en route to register a diminishing 1¼-length victory over the hardcharging Fellowship.

Bullet Gone Astray ran a good one to finish third, a length farther back, in the 10-horse field, the largest on the Preview card.

With Miguel Vasquez up, Li’l Meatball led by 1½ lengths after a quarter in :22.90; two lengths after a half in :45.57, and three lengths coming off the turn after six furlongs in 1:11.42.

Fellowship, fresh off his score in the 1 1/16-mile In Reality Oct. 3 at Gulfstream, the crowning race of the FSS for juveniles, was toiling in last through the first quarter but he went into gear on the turn. Charging down the middle of the track in the stretch run, the 52 favorite closed quickly but had too much to do in too little time.

Li’l Meatball had room to spare in completing the 6½ furlongs in 1:18.21.

Li’l Meatball, who hit the board in all FSS races – fourth in the Dr. Fager and third in both the Affirmed and In Reality – paid $13.20. The $59,675 first prize boosted his earnings to $191,175. He has a 2-0-2 record from five starts, having won his maiden at Gulfstream by nine in his career bow.

The gelded son of Graeme Hall out of Sophie’s Meatball, by Lion Heart, is trained by J. David Braddy. ■

LAUREN KING PHOTO

Li’l Meatball overcame a late charge by Fellowship to capture the Juvenile Sprint.

An exultant Ronny Werner ambled into the winner’s circle bellowing, “Pancake! I love that name. I love it a lot more now.”

As well he should. Favored at even-money, the Arindel Farm homebred daughter of Corinthian out of Gran Senorita, by El Gran Senor became two-for two in her career with a 1¾-length tally over second choice Lupo’s Way, who had a neck in front of Catira Rock, who in turn was a head in front of Just Before in yet another multi-horse photo.

Pancake let others do the hard work early in the mile infield race, laying fifth as Lupo’s Way cut out fractions of :25.25 and :50.92. Pancake took over after six furlongs in 1:15.41 and hit the wire with a final clocking of 1:40.46 with Jose Caraballo up.

The first place prize of $60,140 boosted her earnings to $97,140.

She paid $4.

JUVENILE SPRINT

48 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

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A Handshake You Can Trust

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Ocala Farm Ministry forging a bond among the Chaplaincy’s outreach programs and the horsemen.

Open to Everyone S

miling faces and the sounds of happiness resonate loudly on a parcel of land, serving as makeshift soccer fields.

The tract of land adjacent to the Robert F. Scanlon Memorial Center, home of the Ocala Chapter of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America or the Ocala Farm Ministry as it’s better known, brings together not only members of Marion County’s equine community but an agglomeration of cultures, who entertain and exchange fellowship, ideas and a sense of belonging.

But it’s more than kids having fun, spectators watching in lawn chairs, the taco ladies selling their fare or the competitive and intense games between teams in the

older kids and adults divisions that makes tions have been applied and used, said Miller.

“A lot of people who have donated to this the experience unique.

“We’re open to everybody,” said Chaplain project have never seen it,” said Miller. “PeoBob Miller. “We’re not going to tell a kid that ple drive by; some people don’t know where your parents don’t work for a horse farm and it is. Some people have never seen it.”

The Ocala Farm Ministry did you can’t play here. So, it’s open have one of its needs fulfilled reto everybody. Over 90 percent of cently, as they were the recipient those participating are from the of a smaller, newer and cost effechorse farm communities. These tive bus for its traveling soccer fields are the only place within 10 team . The ministry had a 62 pasmiles where they can play.” senger bus, but it was too large, Work was recently finished on more than a quarter century old a pavilion, providing adequate and wasn’t economically efficient. shelter for those participating in the sports programs and the specWe’ve been blessed tators. The structure replaced a carport that swelled with bodies and we appreciate the farms. They’ve kept during heavy rains or thunderus afloat in Ocala for the past 11 years. storms, said Miller .

“We’ve been blessed and we appreciate However, it’s not just the soccer being played on the fields adjacent to the Robert F. the farms,” said Miller. “They’ve kept us Scanlon Memorial Center, there’s volleyball afloat in Ocala for the past 11 years.”

The Ocala Farm Ministry, a division of and basketball. Winding Oaks donated a children’s playground apparatus several the Racetrack Chaplaincy of America, has years ago, and picnics at the wholesome, been touching lives for more than a decade, family-friendly site are routine, said Miller. and though their outreach programs, continBut it’s the impact of the Ocala Farm ues to impact lives.

“We call ourselves the Farm Ministry, Ministry, one with a defined and meaningful purpose, resonating throughout the equine because when you talk to the public that community that forges a bond among the doesn’t know about the horse farms; you Chaplaincy’s outreach programs and the say Racetrack Chaplaincy, and they’re horsemen. The Racetrack Chaplaincy holds thinking NASCAR,” said Miller. “When Sunday morning services in English and you say farm, people will know it’s the Sunday evening services in Spanish. How- farms. We’re still under the umbrella of the ever, it’s the support from the horse farms Racetrack Chaplaincy. We have our own that has made the Ocala Chapter of the Race- 501 c3 not-for-profit. We’re proud to be a part of the Racetrack Chaplaincy of Amertrack Chaplaincy viable, said Miller.

Arrangements are in the process of being ica. It’s 50 years old and has been ministermade, to hold an open house, so people will ing on the track for 50 years, and we’re part have an opportunity to see how their dona- of that group.” ■ LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

By BEN BAUGH

“

”

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By BROCK SHERIDAN

LESLEY WARD PHOTOS

F

or nearly every person in the thoroughbred business, bloodlines are a very important issue. Whether one is a breeder, trainer, owner or handicapper, having a working knowledge of thoroughbred pedigrees is essential.

Bloodlines and family can also play an important role on the human side of the sport.

Perennial champion trainer Todd Pletcher is the son of successful conditioner J.J. Pletcher. Horse racing television commentator Laffit Pincay III and bloodstock agent Alex Solis Jr. are the sons of Hall of Fame jockeys Laffit Pincay Jr. and Alex Solis respectively. The list can go on.

Cartoonist Remi Bellocq, who is a regular contributor to The Florida Horse and the Lexington Herald-Leader in Lexington, Ky., also comes by his vocation genetically. He is the son of longtime Daily Racing Form cartoonist Pierre “PEB” Bellocq.

A native of Maisons-Laffitte, France near Paris, PEB came to America during the early 1950s when then Laurel Park operator John Shapiro saw his drawings while visiting THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 53

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REMI Bellocq

toonist and caricaturist for the Morning Telegraph, the east coast predecessor to the Daily Racing Form.

Remi Bellocq, who is also the executive director of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College Equine Programs in Lexington, was born in New York as the fourth of five children in the Bellocq household.

He said he can remember at a very young age watching his father at his drawing table working on cartoons.

He knew his father drew, but it wasn’t until years later when PEB devised a family game that Remi began to learn what his father did for a living.

“The New York Times used to reprint cartoons from other papers in their Sunday edition,” Remi said. “And my father would offer a dollar to the first kid that found one of his cartoons in the paper on Sunday morning. It was kind of a fun, family thing we did and that was when I really began to learn what he did.”

Remi also remembers many of his father’s dinner guest and the impact they would have on the Bellocq France to recruit horses for the D.C. International Stakes. children.

“He would often have writers and other cartoonists Shapiro invited PEB to the United States to draw caricatures of jockeys and trainers for the Laurel program and over for dinner,” Remi said. “I remember writers such as Joe McGinniss, the author of The Selling of a President, of those in attendance at the post race cocktail party.

One of PEB’s subjects on that trip was publisher, Fatal Vision, Blind Faith and other best sellers. So we diplomat and philanthropist Walter Annenberg, who at all had that interest in the family. If you had a dad that that time was the publisher of the Philadelphia Enquirer was a surgeon, the children would likely have an interand was the United States ambassador to England. An- est in biology. Our Dad was a political cartoonist, so we nenberg, who had presented the trophy that year for the all gravitated towards the arts.”

But the cartoon bug was not the first to bite at young D.C. International, was impressed with the caricatures and eventually offered PEB a Remi. He was also interested in full-time position as a political , about horses and riding. So PEB spoke cartoonist with the Philadelphia 90 percent of the time I spend with trainer John Russell, who at the time was training horses for Enquirer and as a humor caron a cartoon is the idea. the powerful Phipps stable in New Once I have an idea and I get York and was a friend of PEB. the editor to approve it, then “Russell was one of the first persons to get involved with it’s only one or two hours to placing horses after the track,” actually draw the idea.

Remi said. “My Dad knew Russell and asked if he had a horse for me.

“I can still remember the day a huge van pulled up to our little house in New Jersey and here’s all the Phipps horses going from New York to Florida. And I swear it was like a scene out of the Black Stallion. The driver pulls this horse off the van and hands me the shank. The horse starts bucking and kicking and I’m wondering what I got myself into.”

Remi put the horse in a little barn his father had built behind their house. While many of his first experiences with the ex-racehorse included him running off with young Remi aboard or worse, bucking and throwing Remi then running off; Remi eventually took the

“Believe it or not

”

54 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

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horse to a riding academy where they both received some much needed training.

“We taught him how to jump and I showed him a little—nothing formal. But that’s when I really got interested in riding.”

The next summer, Remi traveled to Normandy, France to work and learn how to break yearlings. The following summer he went to Chantilly Racecourse in Oise, France to work for a trainer and learn to ride races.

He obtained his license to ride as an amateur and rode a few races, finishing third in his debut.

Young Bellocq returned to the United States and continued to gallop horses at nearby Belmont Park, working for trainer Bill Boland in the morning and attending high school during the day. While working there, Remi learned that Boland’s daughter, Sherri, had applied to a racetrack management program at the University of Arizona. Bellocq found the idea appealing and after high school, he traveled across country to pursue his college education.

That’s when the cartoon bug began to bite for the first time.

“Here and there I had done some little things like

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REMI Bellocq to really do stuff “thatI istryvery visual. And I try to do them with as few words as possible.

”

56 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

work for the school paper,” Bellocq said. “I also did a few cartoons and some fun stuff, but nothing that was published. It wasn’t until I got to the U of A that I would do some paid freelance work. I think the Horsemen’s Journal had me do some stuff and I did some cartoons for the school paper at the university.”

But by now, Bellocq was on a path to graduate and pursue track management.

Bellocq graduated from the University of Arizona Race Track Program and went to work in the marketing department at Garden State Park. After a few years in management, Bellocq was given the opportunity to return to the University of Arizona to join the staff at the RTIP. However, the return to Tucson also kick-started his sideline career as a cartoonist.

“When I came to teach [at the Arizona RTIP], I did a little comic strip about campus life for the school newspaper [the Daily Wildcat],” Bellocq said. “It was really after that when I did more freelance stuff.”

After a few years at Arizona, Bellocq went back into management, working at Longacres near Seattle then Hollywood Park in Southern California. While at Hollywood, Bellocq began drawing cartoons for QuarterWeek, a semi-monthly magazine that covered quarter horse racing. A few years later, while working at Turf Paradise, Bellocq began working as a freelance cartoonist for the Daily Racing Form, replacing his father’s cartoons once per month. Those two publications provided Bellocq with his first regularly paying jobs as a cartoonist and eventually sparked him to consider drawing for a career.

“Actually, there was a time when I thought about doing a cartooning for a living,” Bellocq said. “I had been in track management for about 18 years and had nurtured this idea of writing a racing themed comic strip.

I sent a few demos to a New York newspaper and they liked the idea. Then I asked how much it would pay and they told me something like $300 a week. At that time I had a wife and a kid and was living in California. I had launched my idea too late. I should have come up with that idea years earlier while in college and living on much less.”

Bellocq continued to draw for QuarterWeek, the Form and later The Texas Thoroughbred magazine, but the need to provide for the family sent him to Kentucky in 2001 where he served as the CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. He continued with that position until he joined Bluegrass Community and Technical College in 2011.

However, drawing cartoons and caricatures continues for Bellocq. Along with being a regular contributor to The Florida Horse, Bellocq also draws political car-

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toons for the Lexington Herald-Leader, two publications that allow him to pursue his favorite medium.

“I love the single frame cartoons – like the old Far Side by Gary Larsen. I love the idea of one single frame with little or no caption that is a setup and a punchline all in one frame. With a three or four panel comic strip, you can use a story line and a dialogue. That is a whole other form of communication. But the guys that do the single panel cartoons are the ones I really admire. And that is what I try to do. I learned that very early on from my father. Because when he came to the U.S., he couldn’t speak English. So his stuff had to be very visually funny.

“And so I try to really do stuff that is very visual. And I try to do them with as few words as possible.”

Bellocq says he comes up with ideas at various times of the day. While he works at his drawing table at home after dinner a few nights a week, his ideas for cartoons can come at any time of day. And like many standup comedians, he notes those ideas to himself on his phone.

“Believe it or not, about 90 percent of the time I spend on a cartoon is the idea,” Bellocq said. “Once I have an idea and I get the editor to approve it, then it’s only one or two hours to actually draw the idea.”

Today Bellocq continues to ask his father for advice and criticism.

“I recently did a cartoon for the Lexington HeraldLeader and showed it to my Dad,” Bellocq said. “He

loved it and said that if I had drawn that same cartoon 30 years ago, the caption would have been five paragraphs long. And he was right.”

While Bellocq has forgone the dream to become a full-time cartoonist, he will forever be grateful to his father for all the advice and help. He will be thankful for the talent that has been passed down to him from Dad as well. ■

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

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—STAKES RACES Win/Place/Show Horse Name Moment of Delight Flora Dora Saraguaro Golden Pirate Fellowship Amelia''s Wild Ride Wild Dude Forevamo Dogwood Trail Enterprising Lady Sing Praises Abercorn Monaguska Cage Fighter I''malreadythere Square Dancer Summation Time Zloty Awesome Warrior Holywell Silent Prayer Southern Barbecue Li''l Meatball Glacken Too African Rose Lori''s Store

Sex Age Sire F F C C C C H C F F C C M H G G C F F F F C G C M M

3 2 3 2 2 4 5 2 3 2 3 2 6 5 2 5 4 4 3 3 2 3 2 4 6 5

A. P. Warrior First Dude Express Tour Flashstorm Awesome of Course D'wildcat Wildcat Heir Uncle Mo Awesome of Course First Dude Hear No Evil Brooks 'n Down Yonaguska Closing Argument Crown of Thorns Circular Quay In Summation Exchange Rate A. P. Warrior Exclusive Quality Brooks 'n Down Hear No Evil Graeme Hall Smoke Glacken Bwana Charlie El Prado (IRE)

Dam

Breeder

Date

Sweetness Aidan Return of Mom Cozzy Cate Go Girlfriend Go Amelia Island Courtly Choice Candlelightdinner Ladyinareddress Sassy Harper Sacred Psalm Duchess d'Or Monaroll Untamed Passion Wildfire Ruby Dance Special Load Up A. P. Reality Awesome Medicine All Saint's Day Sacred Psalm Sexy Stockings Sophie's Meatball Storm Prospect Darby Rose Big Promise

Jimmy Randolph Dizney Double Diamond LLC Karen Silva Northwest Stud Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Red Oak Stable Versatile Thoroughbreds LLC Ocala Stud Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Milton Hendry Beth Hendry & Norman Hendry Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Jacks or Better Farm Inc. A. Delaperriere Stables LLC Craig L. Wheeler Thomas J. Lane DVM Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung Oakleaf Farm Centaur Farms Inc. R. C. Van Voorhees & Liz Steinbach Tracy Pinchin Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Jacks or Better Farm Inc. George J. Kerr Sienna Farms LLC Heiligbrodt Racing Stable Glen Hill Farm

10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/24/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/10/15 10/10/15 10/12/15 10/18/15 10/24/15 10/25/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/5/15 10/24/15

Track Off ID Pos GP GP GP GP GP KEE SA DED GP GP GP GP PRX BEL SA HST WO GPW CMR GP GP GP GP SA ZIA GPW

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

Grade/ Value

Race Name

Earngs

Florida Sire Meadow Star S. $150,000 Florida Sire My Dear Girl S. $500,000 Florida Sire Foolish Pleasure S. $150,000 Armed Forces S. $75,000 Florida Sire In Reality S. $500,000 Woodfrd S. Pres Keeneland Select 3/$150,000 Santa Anita Sprint Champ S. 1/$300,000 Jean Lafitte S. $200,000 Florida Sire Meadow Star S. $150,000 Florida Sire My Dear Girl S. $500,000 Florida Sire Foolish Pleasure S. $150,000 Florida Sire In Reality S. $500,000 Roamin Rachel S. $120,000 Knickerbocker S. 3/$200,000 Zuma Beach S. $101,250 BC Premier's H. 3/$100,000 Nearctic S. 2/$303,800 Little Miss Magic S. $75,000 Clasico Wiso G S. 2/$40,140 Florida Sire Meadow Star S. $150,000 Florida Sire My Dear Girl S. $500,000 Florida Sire Foolish Pleasure S. $150,000 Florida Sire In Reality S. $500,000 Santa Anita Sprint Championship S.1/$300,000 Chaves County S. $55,000 Little Miss Magic S. $75,000

$90,000 $300,000 $90,000 $44,175 $300,000 $90,000 $180,000 $120,000 $30,000 $100,000 $30,000 $100,000 $30,000 $40,000 $20,000 $20,000 $60,000 $14,550 $8,028 $15,000 $55,000 $15,000 $55,000 $36,000 $5,500 $7,275

Horse Name Sex Age Sire

Dam

Breeder

Track Date

Off ID

Grade/ Pos

Value

Earngs

Manchurian High Wild Woo Who Rosewhitenblue Congrats Honey Theophilia

G C M F F

7 3 5 4 3

The Daddy Offlee Wild Olmodavor Congrats Flatter

Corredor's Wind Cindy Woo Who Lamsat Al Hob (GB) Happy Honeymoon Theola

Greg Norman Thomas L. Croley Pink Diamond Stable Mr. & Mrs. William A. T. Rainbow Carolyn M. Wilson

10/2/15 10/2/15 10/4/15 10/6/15 10/7/15

KEE LRL ZIA HAW BEL

1 1 1 1 1

$61,528 $44,646 $27,500 $21,840 $77,000

$36,828 $23,940 $16,500 $12,600 $46,200

Benny Time In Mid Heir My Cowboy Katie''s Kiss

C M G F

4 5 3 3

Benny the Bull Wildcat Heir Cowtown Cat Kantharos

Vaca Sagrada Rhythm in Shoes Folk Art Sydney's Kiss

Phil Matthews & Karen Matthews New Farm Brent Fernung Crystal Fernung & Dr. Phil Matthews A. Francis Vanlangendonck & Barbara Vanlangendonck

10/7/15 10/8/15 10/10/15 10/10/15

PEN CT GPW GPW

1 1 1 1

$29,500 $30,000 $38,600 $50,000

$17,700 $18,000 $23,800 $30,500

58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Amelia’s Wild Ride/Woodford S. (G3)

Flora Dora/Florida Sire My Dear Girl S.

CALLAHAN PHOTO

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Wild Dude/Santa Anita Sprint Championship S. (G1)

LAUREN KING PHOTO

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

AroundCountry_Dec_Layout 1 11/18/15 4:07 PM Page 59

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

Dam

Breeder

Maryjean Stock Dottins Alley Hashtag Giddy Up Coco''s Wildcat Our Liberty Bay District Attorney Candy Man Can Deland Handsome Jackson Indian Rocket Deland Lasamanamama Promotional Doubly Distinct Black Martino My Sweet Dove Pleasant as Pie Sweet Miri Always Sunshine Cleveland Sound Flatter''s Secret Trieste Pursuing Fate Pilatus Doubly Distinct Razzle Dazzle Man

Fan Friendly Romaca Vaulcluse Striking T Coco's for Real Our Plum Venetia Snow Cone Star Brook Fabulous Sun Yellow Heat Star Brook Looks Like a Lady Instant Thought My Scarlet Angel Eyes a Fox Royal Dove Honora Helen Langworthy Sunny Again Twilight Service Albany Park Regala Di Trieste Flirting With Fate Smart Sis My Scarlet Angel What a Lady

Paul Muller Cashel Stud Inc. Eugene Melnyk Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc & CLDelaplane & RGDelaplane T Gilbert G. Campbell R. G. Lundock DVM Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds Live Oak Stud Sherry R. Mansfield & Kenneth H. Davis Farm III Enterprises & Off The Hook Partners LLC E Paul Robsham Stable LLC Sherry R. Mansfield & Kenneth H. Davis Gilbert G. Campbell Glen Hill Farm Emerald Pastures Corp.

Bailey Bolen Peter Lawson Kerri Szegi Woodsfield Farm Gilbert G. Campbell Vegso Racing Stable Donald R. Dizney Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC Best A Luck Farm LLC William C. Schettine Emerald Pastures Corp.

Gilbert G. Campbell

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

6 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 6 3 4 3 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4

D'wildcat Mizzen Mast Flower Alley High Cotton Wildcat Heir Montbrook Successful Appeal Lemon Drop Kid Gottcha Gold Forestry Indian Charlie Gottcha Gold Sabre d'Argent Artie Schiller With Distinction Two Step Salsa Hello Broadway Pleasant Tap Sweet Return (GB) West Acre More Than Ready Flatter Tiznow In Summation Shakespeare With Distinction Parading

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

Gulfstream Park •Michael Costanzo – Claims Clerk Hialeah Park •R. Peter Aiello IV – Director of Simulcasting, Track Announcer Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park •Heather Belmonte – Executive Assistant

Date

Track ID

Off Pos

Grade/ Value

Earngs

10/10/15 10/12/15 10/12/15 10/16/15 10/16/15 10/17/15 10/23/15 10/24/15 10/25/15 10/28/15 10/1/15 10/4/15 10/4/15 10/7/15 10/8/15 10/10/15 10/10/15 10/10/15 10/11/15 10/11/15 10/12/15 10/14/15 10/17/15 10/17/15 10/17/15 10/20/15 10/23/15

RP PRX WO IND KEE GPW WO GRM CMR RP RP CMR LRL BEL FL GPW GPW SA GPW PRX PRX PEN DEL GPW HAW FL CT

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

$37,136 $53,500 $66,167 $35,360 $56,920 $39,000 $67,805 $42,000 $21,658 $35,200 $37,136 $14,650 $41,160 $77,000 $17,000 $38,600 $50,000 $53,500 $35,800 $54,744 $53,500 $29,500 $35,500 $39,000 $21,080 $17,000 $27,000

$21,018 $30,600 $35,160 $20,400 $32,940 $23,800 $35,160 $24,000 $12,818 $20,814 $6,972 $2,930 $8,820 $15,400 $3,400 $7,800 $10,450 $10,600 $7,800 $10,200 $10,200 $5,900 $7,000 $8,500 $4,200 $3,400 $5,380

Ocala Breeders’ Sales •Tom Ventura – President •Kevin Honig – Mutuels Tampa Bay Downs •Allison DeLuca – Racing Secretary •Doug Murray – TRPB Agent Breeder •Rick Heatter Trainer •Todd Pletcher THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 59

und The Country

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Florida-Breds Aro

The Country und

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

Track ID

Off Pos

Grade/ Value

Earngs

E Paul Robsham Stable LLC Gilbert G. Campbell Ocala Stud Frank Bertolino Kinsman Farm Mighty White Stallion LLC Ocala Stud Calypso Stables Inc. Liam Benson & Mayo West Farm Porter Racing Stable LLC Farm III Enterprises & Off The Hook Partners LLC Dianne D. Cotter Eugene Melnyk Steve Tucker Woodford Thoroughbreds Don Mattox & Pam Mattox Calypso Stables Inc. Northwest Stud Vicino Racing Stables Inc.

10/24/15 10/25/15 10/1/15 10/2/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/5/15 10/7/15 10/7/15 10/8/15 10/9/15 10/10/15 10/10/15 10/10/15 10/12/15 10/14/15 10/17/15

RP LRL CMR CMR BEL LBG RP WO MNR PEN RP IND CMR CMR GPW SA WO PEN GPW

2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

$35,200 $42,000 $9,206 $12,204 $104,400 $4,500 $40,040 $49,500 $18,400 $29,500 $35,200 $34,000 $8,830 $12,578 $50,000 $53,500 $66,167 $29,500 $39,000

$6,972 $8,820 $939 $1,245 $10,440 $540 $3,835 $5,225 $1,840 $3,245 $3,825 $3,400 $901 $1,284 $5,000 $6,360 $9,020 $3,245 $4,250

Moreau Bloodstock International Inc. Mr. T Stables Milan Kosanovich & Machmer Hall Farm III Enterprises & Off The Hook Partners LLC Joanna Reisler Chris Compton Frank Bertolino

10/18/15 10/21/15 10/22/15 10/24/15 10/25/15 10/27/15 10/28/15

FE PEN PEN GRM CMR PRX CT

3 3 3 3 3 3 3

$19,220 $33,040 $33,040 $45,000 $21,658 $56,080 $27,000

$1,550 $3,245 $3,245 $4,500 $2,210 $5,610 $2,670

Horse Name Sex Age Sire

Dam

Breeder

Indian Rocket Lasamanamama Gottcha Luck

By My Side Total Joint La Pieta Santorini Sky Takeitdowntheroad Northern Freeway Tiz Showbiz Handsome Jackson Tuff Red Stick Coral Point Quality Reward Naval Command Fashioned Gem Takeitdowntheroad Westoniana Belladini

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

3 6 2 5 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 2 4 2 3 3 3 4 4

Indian Charlie Sabre d'Argent Gottcha Gold The Kaiser Tiz Wonderful Pleasant Strike In Summation Strut the Stage Northern Afleet Hello Broadway Forestry High Cotton Graeme Hall Exclusive Quality Midshipman Old Fashioned Strut the Stage Touch Gold Bandini

Yellow Heat Looks Like a Lady Dazzling Princess Shaye Alone Major's Girl Love Boot Silent Serenade Sutherland Freeway Fun Valley Queen Fabulous Sun Tuff Tuc Ruby Park Relic Notebook Lucky Flyer Miss Gem Sutherland Quatrain Cinque Bella

Dan the Tin Man It Is Back Brother Bobo Hardrock Eleven Joe Pike Queena Esther The Boot Wildcat

G F C G C F G

5 4 3 5 4 2 4

Songandaprayer Put It Back Kantharos Rock Hard Ten Benny the Bull Roman Ruler Wildcat Heir

Mrs. M Omega Three Private Prom Party Stark Beauty Allofeverything Speaking of Time Sally Got the Boot

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

Dam

Breeder

Date

R Kinsley Doll Astro Lady Doukas Starship Frontier Congratulate Me Dancinanimaux Pirellone Union Grace Union Conqueror Kokomo Wildcat Never Give In Bonnie Breeze Sleepwalker Royal Baby Fond of Mints Karen''s Silk Yorkshire Inn Aggressive Driver Life Imitates Art Bonita Sweet Soul Music Iron Dome Wildcat Doll Fast Karma Marketplace

Honest Gold Klairan Marquet Niche Road to Honor Fantasy Forest Full of Dance Eyepopnruby Eva's Way Dixie Stamp Alemona Let It Roar Snooks Five Phanie Slam Royal Damsel Fond of You Stay On Track Just in Passing Red Beauty Habiboo Broad Picture Almost Always Final Assault Doc's Doll West Acre Waltz Indy Blaze

Palm Beach Racing Louie Rogers Thoroughbreds LLC Lucy Edwards & Randell Edwards Susan Kahn Woodford Thoroughbreds Michael Mandara & Deeana Mandara LeAnne M. Robbins Buddy Jones Kendall E. Hansen M.D. Racing LLC Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung Bryan R. Baker Woodford Thoroughbreds Kuehne Racing Michael Laurato Juvenal Diaz J. R. Cavanaugh Diana Wellman Hardacre Farm LLC Arindel Farm Elizabeth Mateo Dr. Michael Rotstein Dr. & Mrs. James Gamble Mr. & Mrs. Marty Hershe Glen Hill Farm

10/1/15 10/2/15 10/2/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/8/15 10/9/15 10/9/15 10/10/15 10/11/15 10/16/15 10/16/15 10/16/15 10/17/15 10/17/15 10/17/15 10/17/15 10/18/15 10/18/15 10/18/15 10/19/15 10/19/15 10/20/15 10/24/15

F F F C C F C C F C G F G G F F G C C F C C F C F

2 2 3 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 4 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 3 2 3

Big Drama Exclusive Quality Kantharos Smoke Glacken Congrats Leroidesanimaux (BRZ Gio Ponti In Summation Sky Conqueror Wildcat Heir Wildcat Heir Boastful Graeme Hall Wildcat Heir Keyed Entry High Cotton Fusaichi Pegasus First Dude More Than Ready Bluegrass Cat Leroidesanimaux (BRZ Silver Tree Wildcat Heir High Cotton Stormy Atlantic

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Off Track ID Pos GP CMR GP GP RP RP BEL CT WO GPW GPW GPW SA TDN CT DEL GPW GPW BEL GPW LRL TDN ZIA IND LRL

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Grade/ Value

Earngs

$59,000 $11,050 $42,200 $43,400 $33,000 $33,000 $75,000 $25,000 $46,600 $47,000 $37,200 $36,800 $55,932 $25,000 $25,000 $34,125 $49,000 $49,000 $75,000 $50,000 $40,000 $25,000 $26,085 $32,000 $40,000

$37,000 $6,409 $27,000 $27,000 $19,596 $19,443 $45,000 $14,940 $27,000 $31,000 $23,200 $23,200 $31,200 $15,000 $14,760 $20,400 $31,000 $31,000 $45,000 $31,000 $22,800 $15,000 $15,600 $19,200 $22,800

AroundCountry_Dec_Layout 1 11/18/15 4:07 PM Page 61

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

Dam

Breeder

Date

Mac Daddy Mac Raving About You Codemaster Gasupthejet Matt King Coal One Summer Nite Vintners Special Luminary Flight Matt King Coal King''s to You Honor Earned Empire Cat Gasupthejet Spezia Lady Devil Little Nick V. Zip''s Legacy Two Steps of Glory My Dear Venezuela Fulfilled Fantasy

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

2 2 2 3 2 3 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2

Put It Back Arch High Cotton Mr. Sekiguchi Cool Coal Man Langfuhr Vineyard Haven Tiz Wonderful Cool Coal Man Big Drama Graeme Hall Cowtown Cat Mr. Sekiguchi Speightstown High Cotton Colonel John City Zip Two Step Salsa Wildcat Heir Gone Astray

Abuela Esther (URU) She's Indy Money Reprized Angel Onaccountofyou Donna Marie Oglala Sue Right Special Holy Manda Donna Marie Dinner Pardner Lady Secretary Empire's Gold Onaccountofyou Via Veneto Aztec Sally Campionessa Enduring Legacy Concert Quest Bayou Mist Unbridled Fantasy (AUS)

Stud El Aguila Live Oak Stud Four Horsemen''s Ranch & Jeff Schwietert Molly Lightner & Joclyn Helmbrecht John E. Shaw Anthony Lenci Robert & Audrey Tenney Revocable Trust Le Anne M. Robbins John E. Shaw Matteo Giuffreda Sunshine Thoroughbred Corp.

Wayne McFarland Molly Lightner & Joclyn Helmbrecht Dizney Double Diamond LLC Nick deMeric Jaqui deMeric & Prestonwood Partnership Hickstead Farm Y-Lo Racing Stables LLC W. K. France & D. S. France Orlando Martinez Juan Centeno

10/24/15 10/24/15 10/25/15 10/28/15 10/29/15 10/29/15 10/1/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/6/15 10/8/15 10/9/15 10/10/15 10/10/15 10/10/15 10/11/15 10/12/15 10/12/15

Loveyou Likethat Howling Wolf Prepper Light the Night Fast Fire Blind Ruckus Leroids Mommie

F G G C C G F

2 2 3 2 2 2 2

Crown of Thorns Yesbyjimminy Majestic Warrior Street Cry (IRE) War Chant Da Stoops Leroidesanimaux (BRZ

Whirlwind Charlott Righteous Wolf Fancy Fusaichi Namaste's Wish Thrill Me Daylight Time Mommie's the Boss

Woodford Thoroughbreds Constance E. Stawasz Kinsman Farm Live Oak Stud Vegso Racing Stable Vaughan Heard Patricia Generazio

10/13/15 10/14/15 10/16/15 10/17/15 10/17/15 10/17/15 10/18/15

Pos

Off Value

Grade/ Earngs

SA WO CMR RP BEL GPW GP BEL BEL GG GP ZIA RP KEE BEL GPW WO SA GPW GPW

1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

$52,750 $58,300 $11,050 $33,000 $75,000 $37,200 $59,000 $85,000 $85,000 $27,875 $43,400 $26,170 $33,000 $54,784 $75,000 $43,000 $57,036 $53,500 $43,000 $43,000

$31,200 $33,540 $6,409 $19,596 $45,000 $23,200 $12,000 $17,000 $17,000 $5,200 $8,800 $5,720 $6,549 $10,240 $15,000 $10,000 $11,180 $10,400 $10,400 $10,000

MNR MNR BEL BEL GPW GPW GPW

2 2 2 2 2 2 2

$14,100 $14,100 $75,000 $75,000 $49,000 $49,000 $50,000

$2,820 $2,820 $15,000 $15,000 $10,800 $10,000 $10,000

Track ID

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 61

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Florida-Breds Aro

The Country und

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

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track ID

Pos

Off Value

Grade/ Earngs

Iron Rob Awesome Dame Fair Prospect Something Naughty Putmeinthetrickbag Yorkshire Inn Legacy Danseur Sofia Maria R. Greg Rules Da Bullish Bird Margaret''s Song Cowboy Legend I''m a Lawman I''m No Secret Hy Riverside Determined Lady Blazing Diamond Epic Journey Proud Lady

C F G F G G G F C G F C C C C F F G F

2 2 4 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2

Twirling Candy Awesome of Course Exclusive Quality Into Mischief Indian Express Fusaichi Pegasus Sarava Graeme Hall Da Stoops Summer Bird Congrats Cowtown Cat Causeway's Kin Discreetly Mine Macho Uno Big Drama In Summation J P's Gusto In Summation

Cold Blooded Lady of Long Ago Andria's Forest Gracious Assault Advice to Sinners Just in Passing Tash Dash Chelle Spendabuck Hines Farley Rules Pheodora Tranquil Song A True Star Atticus's Woman Sister Alberta Sarcasm Lemon Pie Genuine Diamond Golden Horseshoe Proud Trippi

John C. Pereira Sisco Racing BryLynn Farm Inc. Christy Whitman Troy Looper J. R. Cavanaugh New Phoenix Racing LLC Titin Roman Jack Treadway & Sharon Treadway Dr. K. K. Jayaraman & Dr. V. Devi Jayaraman Woodford Thoroughbreds Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung Big C Farm Get Away Farm Amy Dunne Hal Queen Farm Oscar Martinez Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung Phil Combest

10/24/15 10/25/15 10/29/15 10/1/15 10/2/15 10/3/15 10/3/15 10/5/15 10/5/15 10/8/15 10/8/15 10/9/15 10/9/15 10/10/15 10/11/15 10/12/15 10/12/15 10/15/15 10/18/15

SA BEL GPW PID TDN GP GP DEL PID PEN RP CT HAW GPW GPW GPW GPW KEE GPW

2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

$53,000 $75,000 $34,800 $34,650 $25,000 $51,000 $51,000 $34,125 $35,650 $29,640 $37,538 $25,000 $22,400 $43,000 $37,200 $43,000 $43,000 $55,488 $50,000

$10,400 $15,000 $7,940 $5,280 $2,500 $6,000 $6,000 $3,740 $3,300 $3,135 $3,593 $2,490 $2,000 $5,000 $3,800 $5,000 $4,600 $5,120 $4,600

Adios Princess Dynamite Kid Rattlesden Telling Metzie Nothingelsematters Palace Dude Smile Big Matanzas Inlet

F C G F C G F C

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3

Adios Charlie Northern Afleet Teuflesberg Telling First Dude First Dude Big Drama Kitalpha

Princess Quinn Maliziosa Crown the Queen Kahlua Bay Heart Ofa Champion Palace Emblem Margaret Smile She's Stacked

Rick Sutherland Haras Santa Maria de Araras S.A. Rachel Kimbell Family Broodmares III Rowling Oaks Farm LLC Maria M. Haire Kinsman Farm Phyllis Booth Godwin & Harry Jackson Godwin

10/18/15 10/18/15 10/20/15 10/24/15 10/24/15 10/25/15 10/29/15 10/29/15

SA WO IND KEE SA CMR BEL GPW

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

$53,000 $56,700 $32,000 $55,520 $53,000 $11,050 $75,000 $37,200

$6,240 $6,149 $3,200 $5,120 $6,240 $1,105 $7,500 $4,140

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse 62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Decoupling_JustSayNo8.5X11_Layout 1 11/23/15 2:57 PM Page 1

Sign the Petition Today

at www.change.org or at the FTBOA office

to Decoupling

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

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

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

Florida...the Best State for Business

Foal_All_InBreeding_Layout 1 7/22/15 9:49 AM Page 2

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

SALLY MOEHRING PHOTO

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

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

FarmTours_USE_Florida Horse_template 11/23/15 4:18 PM Page 66

arm F Tours

The FTBOA staff visited farms in Marion County in August. Here’s a pictorial.

D

uring the past months, the staffs and management at the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and Florida Equine Communications visited a number of members at their farms. The purpose of the visits were to introduce and reacquaint staff to each farm’s operations and to learn more about our FTBOA members.

Small to medium-sized farms were part of a list that included farms that had not been recently visited. Some 50 farms were contacted to schedule visits, of which about 20 were available. The group organized into three teams of two persons each and included FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell, The Florida Horse editor-in-chief Brock Sheridan, Wire to Wire Managing Editor Mike Mullaney, Membership and Events Assistant Sally Moehring, Assistant Vice President and Business and Operations Manager Patrick Vinzant; and Tammy Gantt, assistant vice president membership and events director and industry and community affairs director.

Breed to sell, breed to race, early training and sales consignment operations were included in the tours. The staff hopes to conduct more farm visits in the future.

If you would like to schedule an FTBOA visit to your farm, please call the FTBOA offices at 352-629-2160 and ask for Membership Services.

1

Crupi’s New Castle Farm

66 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

2 PHOTOS: 1, 2 & BACKGROUND: BROCK SHERIDAN • PHOTOS 3-7 SERITA HULT

FarmTours_USE_Florida Horse_template 11/23/15 4:19 PM Page 67

3

Hyatt Farm 4

5

1) Jimmy Crupi of Crupi’s New Castle Farm 2) Excercise riders in the morning at Crupi’s New Castle Farm 3,4) Bronze statue of an Elk graces the property at Hyatt farm 5) The front entrance to Get Away Farm 6) Four Horsemen’s Ranch 7) Nicely kept fenced pasture at Get Away Farm

Four Horsemen’s Ranch 6

7

Get Away Farm ULT

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 67

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Closing in on four decades with Ocala Stud, farm trainer George Burrows brings new meaning to the word longevity.

By JOANN GUIDRY n thoroughbred racing, there are sprinters and there are stayers. Put George Burrows unequivocally in the latter category. In his 37 years and counting at Ocala Stud, from groom to barn foreman to trainer, Burrows has definitely covered a route of ground.

And considering that Burrows came to Ocala via the largest pig farm in the Bahamas, it’s also been a rather unusual route of ground.

I

68 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

“My family owned a very large farming operation in Nassau,” said Burrows, 57, the island lilt still evident in his voice.

“We raised cattle and had the largest pig farm in the Bahamas. I was six years old the first time I came to Ocala with my father. He came to buy pigs from a farmer and we flew 105 of them back to the Nassau with us.”

Burrows’ father, Henry Burrows and whom everyone called Mr. B, was quite an entrepreneur. In addition to his farming enterprise, he also owned a grocery and feed store,

SERITA HULT PHOTOS

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 69

Burrows_OcalaStud_Dec_Florida Horse_template 11/18/15 4:21 PM Page 70

George

Burrows

as well as a riding stable that offered tourists trail rides around the island. And there were racehorses too.

“My father was a trainer and he also had the largest racehorse stable in the Bahamas,” Burrows said. “He trained racing quarter horses and thoroughbreds. He would fly into Miami, buy yearlings right out of the fields, and then fly them back home. My older brother Henry and I would break them. Henry was a good rider. I wanted to be a jockey, but I got too big too fast.”

Sadly, Burrows’ brother was killed when he was but 14 in a racing accident at Hobby Horse Hall, the Nassau racetrack.

“Henry was riding Mr. B, a horse my father named after himself, and they clipped heels with another horse,” recalled Burrows, who was 12 at the time. “It was a very sad time for us.”

With being a jockey out of the question because of his size, Burrows set his aspirations on becoming a trainer like his father.

“I would get up very early and go to the racetrack with my father,” Burrows said. “I wanted to learn everything I could from him about training horses.”

70 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

It was also at Hobby Horse Hall that Burrows first heard of Joe O’Farrell, who was part of a syndicate that purchased Ocala-based Dickey Stables in 1956 and renamed it Ocala Stud. And as it turned out, Hobby Horse Hall was owned by a partnership that also included O’Farrell. Several times a year, O’Farrell would come to the Nassau racetrack to recruit Bahamians to work at Ocala Stud.

“I had a cousin and knew many others who went to work at Ocala Stud,” Burrows said. “But I was still too young and was happy to be around the horses with my father.”

But as all things do in time, that situation would change.

“A year after I graduated from high school, the racetrack closed in 1978,” said Burrows. “My father sold most of his horses and quit training. My family wanted me to get involved in our other businesses, but horses were my first love. Nothing else made me as happy.”

So Burrows and his family made a compromise. He would go to Ocala, attend the community college there and get a part-time job at Ocala Stud.

“My father had a friend, Jack Stokes, who worked at the University of Florida’s agriculture department in the sheep unit,” remembered Burrows. “He picked me up at

Burrows_OcalaStud_Dec_Florida Horse_template 11/18/15 4:21 PM Page 71

the Gainesville airport that August in 1978 and took me to Ocala. I was staying with a Bahamian friend, who, of course, worked at Ocala Stud. He helped me get a parttime job as a groom in the broodmare barn.”

That job and going to school didn’t last very long.

“After a week in the broodmare barn, I moved to a training barn,” said Burrows. “I was so happy. The parttime job became a fulltime one and I stopped going to classes. I didn’t see any reason to go to school since all I wanted to do was work with horses.”

ADVENTURES WITH THE BOSS

For Burrows, Joe O’Farrell was the man who picked up where his father left off in his education as a horseman. And he was the Boss.

“I was a groom at the first sale I went to in Miami,” recalled Burrows. “So, I’m sitting in the shedrow one afternoon when Mr. O’Farrell pulled up in his car. He gets out and tells me to put a shank on a horse and bring it out between the barns. He had me walk it, then stop and stand it. He shook his head and said,

‘Georgie, that’s not how to show a horse. When we get back to the farm, I’m going to teach you how to show a horse.’ And I said, ‘Yes, sir, Boss.’ After that, I always called him ‘Boss’ and he did teach me how to show a horse.”

In fact, Burrows became O’Farrell’s go-to showman and soon the barn foreman at the sales. Burrows particularly remembers two key sales graduates in those early days. At the 1980 Florida Breeders Sales Company’s Miami juvenile sale, Ocala Stud sold a 1978 chestnut colt by Explodent out of Golden Way, by Diplomat Way, for $200,000. Bred by Ocala Stud and Wilkerson Greiner, the colt would be named Explosive Bid. He became a grade stakes winner of $488,147 and later a leading Florida sire.

“The next year the Boss and I went to Lexington for the Fasig-Tipton yearling sale,” recalled Burrows. “Ocala Stud had a Mr. Prospector filly, so the Boss thought she would sell well as a yearling. That was the first time I went to Kentucky and it was a great education.”

Bred by Ocala Stud, the Mr. Prospector filly was out of the Diplomat Way mare Attache Case. Mr. Prospector, who by 1980 was standing at Kentucky-based Claiborne

I learned from a lot of good trainers that “ worked for Ocala Stud. People like Bobby Fitzgerald, Roy Yates and Bob Noble. They all taught me a lot and I learned something from every one of them.

”

—George Burrows Farm, had begun his stud career in Florida at Ocala-based Savin Farm. At the 1981 Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale, the filly sold for $220,000. Named Widaad, she went on to win the Queen Mary Stakes (G2) in England.

“In those days, we went to all the sales in Miami, Kentucky, New York and Maryland,” said Burrows. “The farm had this big Winnebago that we went to the sales to and stayed in. When I first came to Ocala, I didn’t have a driver’s license. But when the Boss told me to drive the Winnebago back to Ocala from Miami, I wasn’t about to tell him that. So I just got behind the wheel and somehow made it back home without wrecking. But when we got back, the Boss said, ‘Georgie, I think you need to practice your driving.’ And every chance I got, I drove all over town and then got my license.”

On another trip, Burrows drove the Winnebago up to New York to the farm the O’Farrell family owned for a time there.

“Then when it was time to come back to Ocala, the Boss tells me that he and his daughter Nancy are going to stay awhile and they’ll come back in the Winnebago,” said Burrows. “He wanted me to drive his car back to

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 71

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George

Burrows

Ocala. I was a little nervous about doing that. So the Boss tells me, ‘Georgie, if you get lost, just keep heading for the sunshine.’ Well, I did get lost and somehow ended up in Daytona Beach. I got directions there and finally made it back to Ocala.”

TRAINING BARN TALES

By the time Joe O’Farrell died in 1982, the now 23-yearold Burrows had been assigned his own training barn to run at Ocala Stud. Mike O’Farrell, who had operated the farm with his father for the past 10 years, now took on the responsibility solely. But not much would change as Ocala Stud continued to sell its horses at the juvenile sales and prepare client horses for the races. With hundreds of horses during the peak fall season, the farm employed several trainers with each having a training barn or two to manage.

“I learned from a lot of good trainers that worked for Ocala Stud,” said Burrows. “People like Bobby Fitzgerald, Roy Yates and Bob Noble. They all taught me a lot and I learned something from every one of them.”

With its long successful history, Ocala Stud has bred and/or trained hundreds of outstanding racehorses. Burrows has a few favorites, including a millionaire, a colt that sold for more than a million and a Kentucky Derby winner, that went through his barns.

In the fall of 1995, longtime O’Farrell family friend Ed-

Joe O’ Farrell lll, David O’Farell and George Burrows

72 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

ward Wiest sent a bay colt by Saint Ballado out of Answering Echo, by Greek Answer, to Ocala Stud to be broken. The colt, named Captain Bodgit, ended up in Burrows’ barn.

Sold privately as a 2-year-old, Captain Bodgit won the 1997 Florida Derby (G1) and Wood Memorial (G1). He then finished second and third to fellow Florida-bred Silver Charm in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1), respectively. Raced by Team Valor International, Captain Bodgit retired with career earnings of $1,014,849.

“There have been so many good horses that I’ve been lucky to work with at Ocala Stud,” Burrows said. “Probably the classiest horse I ever had in my barn was Chapel Royal. He was nothing but class.”

Bred and sold by Ocala Stud, Chapel Royal was a 2001 nearly-black colt by Montbrook out of Cut Lass Leanne,

by Cutlass. The colt topped the 2003 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s February juvenile sale when he sold for $1.2 million. Chapel Royal went on to become a graded stakes winner and successful sire.

In the fall of 2005, a Street Cry (Ire) out of the Dixieland Band mare Bedazzle colt was assigned to Burrows’ barn. Bred and owned by longtime Ocala Stud client James Tafel, the colt went through the breaking and training program before shipping to trainer Carl Nafzger in April 2006.

Named Street Sense, the colt won the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and collected the Eclipse Award as cham-

Burrows_OcalaStud_Dec_Florida Horse_template 11/24/15 10:23 AM Page 73

pion 2-year-old colt. In 2007, Street Sense rolled to victo- MAN IN CHARGE ries in the four graded stakes, including the Kentucky For many years, Burrows and Bob Noble, who was also Derby (G1). Street Sense, who retired with career earn- the farm manager, had two training barns each. When ings of $4,383,200, stood the 2015 breeding season at Dar- Noble retired three years ago, Burrows became the sole ley Stud in Lexington, Kentucky. farm trainer at Ocala Stud. Another change is that Ocala “Street Sense was always a nice colt,” remembered Stud now only sells at the OBS sales, no longer traveling Burrows. “He always had a good mind and was a good to Miami or any other juvenile venues. mover. We always thought he’d be a nice racehorse. But, “It was a lot of fun when we were going to all those sales of course, you can’t really predict becoming a champion back then,” said Burrows. “But it was hard too, so now it’s and winning the Kentucky Derby.” easier to stay put in Ocala. I have a great crew and Leon Hill A more recent champion who received his early train- is a great barn foreman who’s been with us for many years.” ing under Burrows was Calculator, the 2014 Florida-bred It’s always fun to watch the young horses develop. As they progress, champion 2-year-old colt. you start picking out the ones you think might go on and be good racehorses.

Bred and sold by Ocala Stud, the 2012 gray/roan colt is by Of course, some of them fool you, so it’s really a guessing game.

In Summation out of Back to But it’s still fun to do it. —George Burrows Basics, by Alphabet Soup.

Calculator was sold for $132,000 at the 2014 OBS April During peak fall breaking and training season, Ocala juvenile sale. Owned by Peter Miller, Calculator won the Stud has 130-150 horses spread out in the five training 2015 Sham Stakes (G3) while finishing second to Amer- barns. Typically, the yearlings start receiving their early ican Pharoah in both the Front Runner Stakes (G1) and lessons by September 1.

Del Mar Futurity (G1) in 2014.

“We like to start them nice and easy,” said Burrows. “We “Calculator was one of those horses that just really put tack on them in the stalls and do that for about a week. woke up when we started breezing him,” said Burrows. Then the next week, we take them out with a rider in the “He’s a colt with a lot of talent.” shedrow and from there out to the roundpen the next week.

If all goes well, then we jog them in the fields for about two weeks before they go to the racetrack.”

Burrows likes to send the youngsters out in sets of six, keeping the colts and the fillies separated to “help keep things nice and quiet.” By the time they’re galloping a mile and a half, Burrows pointed out that the youngsters “have a good solid foundation beneath them and we’ve not put any pressure on them yet.” For those going on to a juvenile sale, he said that “they’ll get two-minute licks on the farm and we wait to breeze them once we’re on the sales grounds.”

And, of course, every new crop brings hope and speculation of the next big Ocala Stud graduate.

“It’s always fun to watch the young horses develop,” Burrows said. “As they progress, you start picking out the ones you think might go on and be good racehorses. Of course, some of them fool you, so it’s really a guessing game. But it’s still fun to do it.”

Noble’s retirement also opened the door for Mike O’Farrell’s son David to become farm manager. In addition to David, his older brother Joe is the farm’s financial manager, making them the third generation of O’Farrells that Burrows has worked with at Ocala Stud.

“Mike, David and Joe are great horsemen and great people,” said Burrows, who owns a 10-acre farm where he raises a few head of Angus cattle and 4-H show goats.

“They’re like family to me and Ocala Stud is home.” ■

“

”

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 73

MemoryLane_Dec_Florida Horse_template 11/18/15 4:22 PM Page 32

Memory Lane Down

1974

U

Florida-bred Foolish Pleasure

ndefeated Florida-bred Foolish Pleasure garnered the Eclipse Award as champion 2-year-old old colt while Florida-bred Desert Vixen was named the champion handicap female. Having been named the 1973 champion 3year-old filly, Desert Vixen now had Eclipse Award bookends.

Bred by Waldemar Farms, Foolish Pleasure won seven straight races at six different racetracks and at six different distances. His total winning margin for those seven victories was more than 32 lengths.

By What a Pleasure out of Fool-Me-Not, by Tom Fool, Foolish Pleasure won the Dover Stakes at Delaware Park, Tremont Stakes at Aqueduct, Sapling Stakes at Monmouth Park, second division of the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, Cowdin Stakes and Champagne Stakes at Belmont Park. He won the latter by six lengths, clocking a winning time of 1:36 for the mile.

Purchased by John L. Greer for $20,000 at the 1973 Saratoga yearling sale and trained by Leroy Jolley, Foolish Pleasure won $284,595 on the season.

Harry T. Mangurian Jr.’s Desert Vixen had anything but a picture-perfect year, but she showed her champion’s heart when it mattered most. A persistent respiratory infection kept her off-form until late in the season. In the Beldame Stakes at Belmont Park on September 21, she blew away the field by 12 lengths in 1:46 3/5 for the nine furlongs. Less than a month later, she won the Matchmaker Stakes at Atlantic City by three and-a-half lengths. She also equaled the track record of 1:55 1/5 for the mile and three-sixteenths.

She closed out the season with seconds in the Spinster Stakes at Keeneland and Washington, D.C. International Invitational Stakes at Laurel Race Course. On the year, the Thomas F. Root Sr. trainee earned $154,830.

Desert Vixen (In Reality – Desert Trial, by Moslem Chief) was bred by Mrs. Vanderbilt Adams and bought for $40,000

by Mangurian at the 1972 Hialeah March juvenile sale.

What a Pleasure, the sire of Foolish Pleasure and who

74 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

stood at Waldemar Farms, was the leading juvenile sire by progeny earnings in North America. Led by Foolish Pleasure, What a Pleasure’s juvenile progeny banked $387,748.

The deceased Olympia, who had stood at Hooper Farms, was the leading broodmare sire in North America with a total of $2,300,121. His leading money earner was True Knight, who was out of Stealaway, by Olympia. True Knight earned $359,495 while winning Suburban Handicap, Haskell Handicap, Trenton Handicap and Campbell Handicap.

Dr. Fager was the leading Florida sire with progeny earnings of $960,796 and What a Pleasure was a close second with $913,649.

Dan Lasater, who had purchased Maverick Farm in Ocala in 1973, became the first Thoroughbred owner to surpass the $2-million mark in purse earnings. His racing stable earned $3,022,960 and won a record 494 races.

Fred W. Hooper was the leading Florida breeder by money won with a total of $1,459,534. Other Florida-based breeders surpassing the $1-million mark for the year were: Hobeau Farm ($1,314,959), Harbor View Farm ($1,272,874) and Tartan Farms ($1,075,015).

Foolish Pleasure was named the Florida-bred champion 2year-old colt and Horse of the Year while Desert Vixen was the Florida-bred handicap female. Other Florida-bred champions included: Aunt Jin (2-year-old filly), Destroyer (3year-old colt), Quaze Quilt (3-year-old filly), Arbees Boy (handicap male), Full Pocket (sprinter) and Lond Company (turf horse).

The Hialeah Florida-bred 2-year-olds in training sale set a record $6,352,500 in gross sales and boasted a worldrecord for an unraced juvenile. A colt by Never Bend out of Babuska, by *My Babu, was bought for $280,000 by PierreLouis Levesque. The colt named Famous was bred and consigned by Farnsworth Farms.

Ground was broken for the newly-formed Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s $1.6 million sales complex. ■ FILE PHOTO

By JOANN GUIDRY

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LeadingSireLists_Florida Horse_template 11/20/15 11:57 AM Page 76

LEADING FLORIDA SIRES

WILDCAT HEIR

The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through Nov. 9, 2015. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

WITH DISTINCTION

EXCLUSIVE QUALITY

Farm Name

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

Leading Earner

Leading Earnings

Yrlg Sold

Yrlg Avg

2yo Sold

2yo Avg

Forest Wildcat

Deceased

$6,214,737

224

134

7

12

1

$6,572,118

Wild Dude

$634,667

26

$33,327

14

$60,250

Storm Cat

Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbred $2,748,004 157

86

2

3

1

$2,755,824

Distinctiv Passion

$146,220

8

$15,563

5

$44,600

$186,400

3

$2,800

11

$22,927

$10,000

5

$42,200

$17,700

17 $34,382

Name

Sire Name

Wildcat Heir With Distinction Exclusive Quality

Elusive Quality

Journeyman Stud

$2,103,379

114

59

2

2

0

$2,106,682

Sr. Quisqueyano

Burning Roma

Rubiano

Prestige Stallions

$1,852,184

45

27

1

3

1

$1,852,839

Sheer Drama

Magna Graduate

Honor Grades

Woodford Thoroughbres

$1,827,630

91

51

5

6

0

$1,829,759

Magna Light

$139,334

2

In Summation

Put It Back

Ocala Stud

$1,790,711

86

56

2

2

1

$1,797,563

Summation Time

$110,558

5

High Cotton

Dixie Union

Ocala Stud

$1,735,151

115

51

1

1

0

$1,754,215

Dream of Me

$168,440

15

$29,373

35

Kantharos

Lion Heart

Ocala Stud

$1,528,039

41

25

4

4

1

$1,528,039

Katie's Kiss

$178,195

30

$28,307

11 $67,273

$1,234,720

$48,257

Awesome of Course Awesome Again

Ocala Stud

$1,526,739

58

27

3

4

1

$1,526,739

Fellowship

$376,450

7

$27,857

18

Two Step Salsa

Petionville

Get Away Farm

$1,452,904

73

34

2

2

1

$1,481,749

Classic Salsa

$190,710

3

$15,167

11 $31,173

Montbrook

Buckaroo

Deceased

$1,270,593

81

42

0

0

0

$1,274,517

Miss Darla

$86,965

6

Bring the Heat

In Excess (IRE)

Ward Ranch

$1,165,508

52

32

1

2

0

$1,165,508

Richies Sweetheart $207,919

1

$1,500

Value Plus

Unbridled's Song

Prestige Stallions

$1,124,805

74

42

1

1

1

$1,136,372

Long On Value

$142,560

Hear No Evil

Carson City

Ocala Stud

$991,608

32

17

1

2

0

$995,737

Ballet Diva

$293,640

First Dude

Stephen Got Even

Double Diamond Farm

$915,829

38

14

1

1

0

$915,829

Flora Dora

$340,332

Concerto

Chief's Crown

Deceased

$850,581

57

33

1

2

0

$857,199

Concert Stage

$84,210

Benny the Bull

Lucky Lionel

Bridlewood Farm

$847,388

46

18

0

0

0

$847,388

Benny's Bullet

$89,000

West Acre

Forty Niner

Deceased

$765,685

24

17

1

1

0

$765,685

Fast Flying Rumor $103,695

Cool Coal Man

Mineshaft

Journeyman Stud

$754,388

39

24

0

0

0

$754,388

Competitive Player

Big Drama

Montbrook

Bridlewood Farm

$700,712

28

10

1

1

0

$700,712

Tribal Drama

Indy Wind

A.P. Indy

Journeyman Stud

$594,125

28

14

0

0

0

$614,347

A. P. Cino

$107,730

Flashstorm

Storm Cat

Northwest Stud

$584,737

24

17

1

1

0

$584,737

Golden Pirate

Gone Astray

Dixie Union

Leading the Parade A.P. Indy

$32,333 $20,333

1

$5,500

1

$13,000

3

$25,733

28

$26,125

38

$36,900

6

$8,183

5

$13,700

4

$84,750

7

$45,429

3

$5,733

$104,915

6

$5,867

6

$21,167

21

$21,757

27

$49,119

1

$8,000

6

$51,833

2

$2,100

3

$6,167

1

$5,000 $7,000

$83,470 $209,000

Northwest Stud

$550,690

32

7

2

2

0

$550,690

It's High Time

$224,200

Lamholm South

$511,844

36

17

0

0

0

$513,568

Clever Royal

$56,030

31 $82,726

Yesbyjimminy

Yes It's True

Bridlewood Farm

$489,113

39

23

0

0

0

$492,299

Yes Mz Olga

$48,220

Concorde's Tune

Concorde Bound

Deceased

$439,277

34

20

1

1

0

$460,515

Tune Me In

$95,175

Brooks 'n Down

Montbrook

Ocala Stud

Wagon Limit

Conquistador Cielo Bridlewood Farm

Act of Duty

Mr. Prospector

Deceased

Rock Hampton

Storm Cat

Ric Deg Farm

The Green Monkey Forestry

Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbred

Kiss the Kid

Lemon Drop Kid

Admiral's Cruise

A.P. Indy

Hello Broadway Sweet Return (GB) Three Wonders

Storm Cat

Spellbinder

Tale of the Cat

Prestige Stallions

$245,980

15

6

0

0

0

$245,980

Gryvon

Straight Man

Saint Ballado

Deceased

$245,489

14

9

0

0

0

$245,806

Unflinching

Mach Ride

Pentelicus

Bridlewood Farm

$213,497

7

5

1

1

0

$213,497

Ackeret

$75,000

1

$1,200

1

Crown of Thorns

Repent

Woodford Thoroughbres

$185,535

11

4

0

0

0

$185,535

I'malreadythere

$62,400

1

$2,500

12 $26,917

Spensive

Ponche

Y-Lo Racing Stable

$163,725

8

2

0

0

0

$163,725

Aces for John

$123,957

Proud Accolade

Yes It's True

Deceased

$153,119

13

5

0

0

0

$153,119

Hudatbe

$29,985

Lifestyle

Indian Charlie

Ward Ranch

$147,786

6

5

0

0

0

$147,786

Right Now Richie

$75,216

Forty Grams

Distorted Humor

Ups and Downs Farm

$146,498

7

3

0

0

0

$146,498

Chief Attraction

$50,105

$418,870

3

2

0

0

0

$418,870

Silent Prayer

$217,800

$402,858

14

6

1

1

0

$402,858

Delta Bluesman

$116,405

$339,253

34

13

0

0

0

$339,253

Rasta Rant

$71,720

$321,554

17

9

0

0

0

$321,554

Condestable

$63,015

$253,814

12

9

1

2

0

$311,174

Green Doctor

$66,006

Journeyman Stud

$270,982

14

7

0

0

0

$270,982

Just Kidding

$99,380

Deceased

$263,802

11

5

2

2

2

$270,854

Crucero

$139,330

Broken Vow

Ups and Downs Farm

$265,626

16

8

0

0

0

$265,626

My Sweet Dove

$62,050

Elmaamul

Ocala Stud

$254,011

34

15

0

0

0

$254,011

Sweet Miri

$30,530

Deceased

$252,421

20

7

0

0

0

$252,421

Two Wonders

$77,727

76 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

$78,600 $121,155

4

$39,000

LeadingSireLists_Florida Horse_template 11/24/15 10:24 AM Page 77

The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through Nov. 9, 2015. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

LEADING FLORIDA FRESHMAN SIRES

BIG DRAMA

FIRST DUDE Name

Sire Name

Farm Name

First Dude Big Drama Gone Astray Brooks 'n Down Crown of Thorns Adios Charlie Iqbaal J P's Gusto Rodman Vineyard Haven Backtalk Factum Get Rich Quick Telling

Stephen Got Even Montbrook Dixie Union Montbrook Repent Indian Charlie Medaglia d'Oro Successful Appeal Malibu Moon Lido Palace (CHI) Smarty Jones Storm Cat Seeking the Gold A.P. Indy

Double Diamond Farm Bridlewood Farm Northwest Stud Ocala Stud Woodford Thoroughbred Ocala Stud Ward Ranch Journeyman Stid Deceased Get Away Farm Brildlewood Farm Stonehedge Farm Coco Ranch Prestige Stallions

GONE ASTRAY

NA Stk Gr Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings $915,829 $700,712 $550,690 $418,870 $185,535 $86,294 $87,350 $84,140 $40,420 $28,405 $20,500 $15,194 $14,491 $12,225

The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through Novt. 9, 2015. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

38 28 32 3 11 7 4 9 3 4 1 2 3 4

14 10 7 2 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 0

1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

915,829.00 700,712.00 550,690.00 418,870.00 185,535.00 144,324.00 87,350.00 84,140.00 40,420.00 28,405.00 20,500.00 15,194.00 14,491.00 12,225.00

Leading Earner Flora Dora Tribal Drama It's High Time Silent Prayer I'malreadythere R Luckey Charlie Revolver Sessions Dr. Crabby Kim Williamette Valley Sasstalk It's a Factum Set and Go Telling Metzie

Leading Earnings

Yrlg Sold

Yrlg Avg

$340,332 $209,000 $224,200 $217,800 $62,400 $31,233 $42,100 $18,280 $19,090 $12,600 $20,500 $8,594 $14,350 $5,980

28 7 21

$26,125 $45,429 $21,757

38 $36,900 31 $82,726 27 $49,119

1 16

$2,500 $22,619

12 $26,917 15 $144,033

4

$17,750

2 8 4 1 5

$5,100 $7,738 $36,375 $6,000 $4,940

13 $61,385 2 $41,000 2 $22,000 2 $18,000 1 $14,000 2 $3,750 3 $9,667

BECOME A

Name

Sire Name

Farm Name

NA Earnings

Kantharos Cool Coal Man Kiss the Kid Mach Ride Pleasant Strike United States

Lion Heart Mineshaft Lemon Drop Kid Pentelicus Smart Strike A.P. Indy

Ocala Stud Journeyman Stud Journeyman Stud Bridlewood Farm Northwest Stud Northwest Stud

$1,528,039 $754,388 $270,982 $213,497 $139,259 $137,943

2yo Avg

LEADING FLORIDA 2ND CROP SIRES

COOL COAL MAN

KANTHAROS

2yo Sold

Stk Gr Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings 41 39 14 7 9 14

25 24 7 5 5 3

4 0 0 1 0 1

4 0 0 1 0 1

1 0 0 0 0 0

$1,528,039 $754,388 $270,982 $213,497 $139,259 $137,943

KISS THE KID

Leading Earner

Katie's Kiss Competitive Player Just Kidding Ackeret Luckystrikedelcoco La Irunesa

Leading Earnings $178,195 $83,470 $99,380 $75,000 $82,102 $59,928

Yrlg Sold

Yrlg Avg

30

$28,307

1 4 7

$1,200 $3,925 $8,529

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

2yo Sold

2yo Avg

11 $67,273 4 $84,750 1 1 5

$7,000 $27,000 $48,240

THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015 77

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Cold weather is an ideal time to consider energy usage on the farm

FARM M A N A G E M E N T

Save Money & Energy On the Farm

H

ello to all! I know that cold weather is only now beginning to come into anyone’s mind, but this is an ideal time of the year to consider energy usage on the farm Both the hot and cold times of the year use energy (think fans running in the summer and hot water/heaters in the winter) and these costs increase yearly.

Just as energy and money savings can be realized by making your home more energy efficient, those same savings can also work in the barns. Running a farm takes up tremendous amounts of time and money, so investing that time now for efficiently “tightening up” the barn will save both the pocketbook and the environment.

If the farm is lucky enough to have hot water, insulating the hot water heater can prove to be a considerable energy and money saver. That inefficient water heater can amount to as much as fifteen percent of a home’s total energy usage and it can be even more of the total energy use in the barn. Tankless, on-demand water heaters can be another excellent option to help save energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, an on-demand, or tankless water heater can be 8 to 34 percent more energy efficient than regular storage tank water heaters. Energy usage can be decreased even further (almost 50 percent) if an on-demand water heater is installed at each hot water outlet. The tankless water heating version is the best, but if not possible, be sure to get a highly insulated storage tank to help with efficiency and savings. Solar water heating is also an excellent option to consider, especially for barns in sunny Florida. Gas heat generally provides the most efficient type of water heater, regardless of the chosen variety, but fluctuating prices of electricity vs. gas make either a potential option.

If the barn has high ceilings, it is automatically in better shape because they stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, but a circulating fan will allow all the rising hot air to be mixed with the cooler air below.

Any windows or holes in the walls should be weather 78 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

stripped and/or caulked to further improve energy efficiency. Don’t forget to fix leaky faucets that drip continually, even if only a slight drip. This stops hot water heaters from working overtime and it’s is also a superb way to both increase water savings and stop the misuse of potable (meaning drinkable) water.

Another great place to improve energy efficiency is in the tack room or office heating. Energy-efficient electric space heaters and modern, stand-alone wood-fired heaters are two interesting options to investigate. Today’s electric space heaters are extremely efficient and quite safe for heating a room and wood-fired heaters typically work at around 75 percent efficiency (as opposed to the typical fifteen to twenty percent efficient open fire). Either choice works very well in single rooms. Since this wood fire heater would only be in use during the day when people are around, fire hazards can also be kept to a minimum.

All farms have lots of wood lying (twigs, sticks, branches) around that ends up in a burn pile anyway, so using this waste product to efficiently and effectively give warmth may be ideal. Additionally, wood is carbon neutral and absorbs as much carbon during growth as is released into the atmosphere when burnt as fuel.

Hot summer days are no longer here and the winter chill will soon be coming, so consider the barn’s water use, heating choices and open spaces circulation. A little time invested now can generate overall big savings. Contact me, or your local Extension Office to get help with this and many other horse farm questions. As always, keep up the good management practices! ■

Jamie Cohen • 352-671-8792 Farm Outreach Coordinator UF IFAS/Marion County Extension Service jamiecohen@ufl.edu.

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DRIFTING OUT

Modern Day Illusion M

by Mike Mullaney

COADY PHOTO

Managing Editor for Florida Equine Communications

y first-hand acquaintance with Florida racing began in the ‘80s when Gulfstream director of communications Joe Tanenbaum committed an act of charity and hired me away from my hometown newspaper in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. One day I was asked to drive over to interview some trainers at Calder Race Course. A particularly erudite colleague gave me directions, then a description of Calder that has stayed with me through the years.

“It looks like a bus station, and not a very pleasant one at that.”

His perception, and that of several thousands of others, would change over time.

To the chagrin of those undisciplined souls who had their run of the place since its opening on Thursday, May 6, 1971, Kenny Noe had taken over as president and general manager in 1979 and, architectural objections aside,

One of the quirkiest aspects of Calder was how it had, since the early Noe days, developed a fervor from its loyalists who embraced David’s role alongside two Goliaths.

he made the trains run on time, cleaning up the property, its staff and its reputation.

It wasn’t yet the shining city on the hill. After all, its neighboring competitors were glorious Hialeah and seaside Gulfstream, but, clearly, despite the inherent handicaps of being the inland upstart, Noe would not be content with his track settling for third best of three.

He seized upon Dan Lasater’s idea of spotlighting Florida-bred juveniles and, barely three years into his tenure, Calder hosted the first Florida Stallion Series. Future national champions Princess Rooney, Smile, Hollywood Wildcat, Holy Bull, Big Drama and Awesome Feather, among others, participated in the races, since rechristened the “Florida Sire Stakes.”

Calder was gaining a reputation as a home for talented horsemen and as a nursery for talented young horses.

80 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Noe departed for New York in the mid ‘90s, but Calder kept improving: Florida Million Day, which featured older Florida-breds, came along, as did the Summit of Speed, a midsummer day racing festival that attracted such champions as Benny the Bull, Lost in the Fog, Orientate and Cajun Beat.

Employees were developing a strut.

My colleague from Gulfstream had since taken a summertime position at the Miami Gardens track, and he had tasted the Kool Aid. “It’s all about Calder!” he told me one day, moments after local trainer Marty Wolfson had won a race at Saratoga.

One of the quirkiest aspects of Calder was how it had, since the early Noe days, developed a fervor from its loyalists who embraced David’s role alongside two Goliaths.

Elsie Rose, matriarch of the venerable South Florida racing family, wrote popular name-droppers entitled “At Calder We Love You” and “Calder Loves Us.” But those days are long gone.

For this year’s Sunshine Millions Preview Day – a program in which $800,000 in purses would be awarded to Florida-breds and handle would reach a record $5.68 million – the infield tote board was out of commission and the seven-story grandstand was closed. Had it rained throughout the day, patrons would not be able to find shelter, save for a couple of small tents on the apron.

Churchill Downs Inc. had purchased Calder in 1999 for $86 million, and the focus remained on quality racing for several years thereafter, but philosophies changed when slots came in 2010.

Looking back, one of the first indicators probably was the apparent Stalinization of Kenny Noe, whose namesake, Grade 3 race was the only race eliminated from that year’s stakes calendar.

Any pretense of Churchill’s lingering interest in South Florida thoroughbred racing revealed itself an illusion when it put Calder up for rent: The races would be conducted there but The Stronach Group, owners of Gulfstream, would be responsible for operations.

In return, Calder Race Course, located eight miles from its archrival, would be renamed “Gulfstream Park West.”

Racing will return to Gulfstream Park on Dec. 5 and, coinciding with that return, CDI – which tore down 1,400 stalls in the barn area last April – will demolish a grandstand it hasn’t used in about a year, dumping Elsie and Kenny’s Calder into the dustbin of history. ■

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WAYS OF THE WEST

The Sport Needed This H

orse racing can carry this memory, this afterimage, into the future: American Pharoah getting his cue from Victor Espinoza and then bounding away from any threat or challenge to win easily as a

by Gary West crush of people cheer and high-five, some of them embracing each other and more than a few crying and all of them surrendering to a transcendent moment that will endure in the sport’s history forever. The recent Breeders’ Cup reminded people what horse racing at its best can be.

The sport needed this. And it came at just the right time, in just the right place. In Lexington, back in the early 1980s, John Gaines of Gainesway Farm envisioned an extravagant and lucrative event that would move from one year to the next, decide the sport’s championships and showcase its superlative talents. Gaines formulated the plan that soon led to the creation of the Breeders’ Cup. From the start, it succeeded. But for the last eight years, from 2007 to 2014, the event has meandered somewhat, as if unsure of its direction. Revision and redefinition, as much as anything, characterized these years. Maybe they were necessary. But this recent Breeders’ Cup, coming to the place of its origin, knew resolutely what it was about. It was about showcasing greatness and horse racing at its best.

In the very first Breeders’ Cup Distaff, Princess Rooney romped by seven lengths in what remains to this day one of the event’s greatest performances. In the very first Breeders’ Cup Classic, Wild Again and Slew o’ Gold and Florida-bred Gate Dancer set the tone when they challenged and tested each other for the length of the Hollywood Park stretch before converging on the finish line in what remains to this day one of the events most memorable and thrilling moments. Great moments and great performances — that was the Breeders’ Cup. Alysheba, Personal Ensign, Miesque, Quija Board, Tiznow, Sunday Silence and Ghostzapper all defined their greatness on this stage; Arazi, Ferdinand, Pebbles, Da Hoss, Manila and Halfbridled all built great moments on this stage.

But then, in 2007, the Breeders’ Cup reinvented itself. It became a two-day event and added three races — the Filly & Mare Sprint, the Juvenile Turf and the Dirt Mile. The next year, the Breeders’ Cup added three more races — the Juvenile Fillies Turf, the Marathon and the Turf Sprint — so that there were 14 “championship” races, or twice as many as originally planned. There were also 40 percent more championship races than championships. And in 2011, the Breeders’ Cup added yet another race, the Juvenile Sprint.

Until 2009, moreover, the Breeders’ Cup never had gone to the same venue in consecutive years. But Santa Anita was the host racetrack in 2008 and again in 2009. Churchill Downs became the host racetrack in 2010 and again in 2011. And then, with many suggesting Southern California as a permanent home, the Breeders’ Cup had an extended stay in

82 THE FLORIDA HORSE • DECEMBER 2015

Arcadia, with Santa Anita the host racetrack in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

But that wasn’t Gaines’ vision. Keeping the sport’s championship event in one place for an extended stay compromised its potential and violated an essential marketing axiom: When the circus comes to town, there’s a parade and a celebration; but when it just stays in town, there’s something else entirely. Most of all, though, anchoring the Breeders’ Cup in Southern California hardly seemed fair to horsemen elsewhere.

And so this year the Breeders’ Cup traveled for the first time to Keeneland, which became the 11th racetrack to host it. Considerable apprehension followed it to Lexington, along with some dicey weather.

But Keeneland pulled it off stylishly.

The place was beautiful and pastoral, even beneath overcast skies.

But what distinguished Keeneland most was its people. They love racing, and they love horses. They’ve even named their streets after horses, as in Citation Boulevard and Man o’ War Boulevard. Everybody working there was gracious and, most of all, proud; and somehow it was reassuring, even comforting, to find people working at a racetrack who were genuinely proud. I had to wonder how much better off the sport would be if its so-called leaders took as much pride in it as the elevator operator at Keeneland.

And the Breeders’ Cup will continue moving. Next year, it’ll go back to Santa Anita and then, in 2017, to Del Mar. Churchill Downs reportedly will bid on the 2018 event. And New York surely should get in line.

Having dropped two of its less interesting races, the Breeders’ Cup also seems at last to have settled into a schedule. Perhaps fans have grown accustomed to the two days; Friday’s crowd at Keeneland was 44,947, a record. But most of all, just as the event returned to its origins, great moments and performances, more than anything, once again characterized this Breeders’ Cup. Liam’s Map, Songbird, Tepin, Runhappy — they all dazzled. And then there was American Pharoah.

Yes, the sport needed this. As I’ve said elsewhere, horse racing can sometimes seem to be a supercollider for bad ideas and vicissitudes. But not at Keeneland on the final days of October. This Breeders’ Cup was exactly what the sport needed. Those cheers erupting from 50,155 people drowned out the incessant bleating of the-sky-is-falling doomsayers. And the image of American Pharoah drawing clear briefly united people who had been divided and momentaraily shoved aside a bewilderment of issues and problems. This Breeders’ Cup showed everybody how great this sport can be. ■ Gary West is an award winning turf writer who has covered horse racing for more than 30 years in many publications including The Dallas Morning News and Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. He currently writes for ESPN.com and several other publications on a freelance basis.

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