March 2013 Florida Horse

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March•2013•VOL 56/ISSUE 3

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS 6 THE BROCK TALK 8 FLORIDA FOCUS 24

OBS TWO-YEAR-OLD IN TRAINING SALE

Record $1.8 Mil. Swing Gets Smart Strike Colt.

By Brock Sheridan

28

26 LOBBYIST LEGISLATIVE UPDATE MEMBERSHIP UPDATE

By Tammy Gantt

58 FLORIDA-BREDS AROUND THE COUNTRY 64 INDUSTRY UPDATE/HARNESS RACING 66 HBPA CONVENTION

By Tammy Gantt & Brock Sheridan

72

70 PRACTICALLY SPEAKING By Mark Shuffitt YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARK By Connie Duff Wise 74 WAYS OF THE WEST By DeRosa

FEATURES 18

2012 Florida-bred Champions By Joann Guidry

32

HONORING THE BEST

Jack T. Hammer is enjoying racing success with Florida-bred Grade 1 stakes winner Ron the Greek. By Joann Guidry

NAILING DOWN SUCCESS

38 SAHARA SKY’S

Sahara Sky Stays Solid in San Carlos. By Brock Sheridan

44 NOT UNNOTICED

An in-depth look at Allison Deluca. By Reg Lansberry

52 GUTSY FOOL

Gutsy Comma to the Top refuses to yield in Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap. By Declan Doyle

56 OBS CHAMPIONS DAY AT THE RACES

Michael With Us become OBS Champion.By Brock Sheridan

62 EQUINE CARE: SOBERING STATISTICS

Natural Feeding Methods Help Avoid Equine Ulcers.

By Cynthia McFarland

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

COVER PHOTOS: LOUISE REINAGEL CONTENTS PHOTO OF COMMA TO THE TOP: COGLIANESE

Masthead.March_Layout 1 3/15/13 9:46 AM Page 5

801 SW 60th Avenue Fax: (352) 867-1979

Ocala, Florida 34474 • (352) 732-8858 www.ftboa.com

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Brock Sheridan

BUSINESS MANAGER

Patrick Vinzant

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR, SALES ART DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PRODUCTION CEO & PUBLISHER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Tammy A. Gantt John Filer Beverly Kalberkamp Emily Mills, Nancy Moffatt Lonny T. Powell Caroline T. Davis Florida Equine Publications, Inc. (A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)

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

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

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

Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing in North

Phil Matthews, President/Board Chairman Brent Fernung, 1st Vice President George Russell, 2nd Vice President Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer

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.

Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc.

BOYD

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

2013 Important Dates Open Meetings Governance/Communications Stallion Registration Deadline Awards Banquet FTBOA Info Center at OBS Membership renewal Deadline FTBOA Info Center at OBS Farm & Service Directory Deadline Scholarship Application Deadline FTBOA Info Center at OBS Late Stallion Registration deadline FTBOA Info Center at OBS Foal Registration Deadline Board Elections–Ballots Distribution FTBOA Info Center at OBS Board Elections–Ballots Due Annual Meeting Farm City Week Late/Late Stallion Registration Deadline Stallion Directory Page Deadline

for FTBOA Members Thursday Jan. 31

Feb. 15, 2013 March 11, 2013 March 12 ­13, 2013 March 31, 2013 April 22­25, 2013 May 15, 2013 June 15, 2013 June 18­19, 2013 Aug. 1, 2013 Aug. 20­22, 2013 Aug. 31, 2013 To be determined Oct. 15­17, 2013 To be determined To be determined 3rd week of Nov. November 15, 2013 November 26, 2013

FTBOA (FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION) PRESIDENT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT FIRST VICE PRESIDENT SECOND VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY TREASURER DIRECTORS

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS MANAGER MEMBER SERVICES & PROGRAMS COORDINATOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/ EVENTS COORDINATOR

ACCOUNTING RECEPTIONIST

Phil Matthews

Lonny T. Powell Brent Fernung George Russell Sheila DiMare Bonnie M. Heath III, Joe Barbazon, Fred Brei, Roy Lerman, Joseph M. O’Farrell III, Diane Parks, Linda Appleton Potter, Francis Vanlangendonck, Charlotte C. Weber, Greg Wheeler Caroline T. Davis Patrick Vinzant Tammy A. Gantt Becky Robinson Sheila Budden Antoinette Griseta

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

Tammy Gantt: tgantt@ftboa.com, (352) 732-8858, ext. 239 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

Forms available

online at FTBOA.com, or from the FTBOA at 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, FL 34474 (352­629­2160).

Additional event and charity dates will be added as they are scheduled. www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 5

BrockTalk_Mar_EditorWelcome 3/19/13 10:12 AM Page 6

the Brock talk

Brock Sheridan

Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Publications

Testimonials W

hen Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association president Dr. Phil Matthews welcomed the guests to the FTBOA Awards Dinner and Gala at the Circle Square Cultural Center in Ocala on March 11, it was no surprise that he began by telling the 350 estimated attendees of the record-setting year Florida-breds and their breeders had experienced in 2012.

“Twelve Florida-breds won a record 15 Grade 1 races throughout North America last year,” Matthews said. “And among the ten leading states and provinces in North America, only Florida stallions produced more foals in 2012 than in the previous year.” As one who heads an association whose mission is promote the Florida thoroughbred industry, one would expect him to give those comments or other words of similar enthusiasm.

But what one may not expect is for three of the leading trainers in the game to do the same later that same night.

But that is exactly what hapWhen it comes to Florida-breds – pened when Eclipse Awardyou can race ‘em or chase ‘em. winning trainers Bob Baffert and Dale Romans, and prominent Florida conditioner Bill Kaplan did when they addressed the audience in separate speeches.

Baffert was the first to applaud the Florida breeders when he accepted the Florida-bred award as the trainer of Florida-bred Champion Male Sprinter Coil and later Florida-bred Champion Three-Year-OId Filly Eden’s Moon.

“I just want to say how much Florida-breds have meant to me,” Baffert, a trainer of three Kentucky Derby winners (Silver Charm in 1997, Real Quiet in 1998 and War Emblem in 2002), said. “They have helped make my career from horses like Silver Charm right up to Coil and Eden’s Moon last year. I don’t know what you [Florida breeders] are doing down here, but keep it up.”

A few awards presentations later, it came time to present several awards to the connections of Little Mike as the Florida-bred Champion Turf Horse, Florida-bred Champion Older Horse and Florida-bred Horse of the Year.

After Nick Vaccarezza, the son of breeder Carlo Vaccarezza and owner Priscilla Vaccareeza gave a heart-felt speech about the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) winner named JOHN D. FILER PHOTO

“

6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

”

for his brother Mike, Romans made it a point to grab the microphone before stepping off the stage.

“I just want to echo what Bob Baffert mentioned,” Romans said. “As most of you know, I’m a Kentucky boy through and through but I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you for what you have meant to me and my career. It was actually you who helped me off to a fast start.

When I first got my license as a 28-year-old kid, it was Michael O’Farrell and Marion Lewis who walked around the Calder sale all those years ago and helped me pick out a bunch of Florida-breds – and most of them turned out to be winners. Now I’ve had the chance to train some great Florida-bred stakes winners like Joint Effort and now Little Mike and I have to say, the Eclipse Awards got it wrong and you got it right!”

Just a month earlier, Little Mike missed being named the North American Champion Turf Horse after winning the Woodford Reserve Turf Classic at Churchill Downs, the Arlington Million at Arlington Park and the Breeders’ Cup Turf and Santa Anita, all Grade 1 races and all further than the three Grade 1 turf races won by eventual champion Wise Dan. Not to be outdone in his appreciation for Florida-breds of course, was Bill Kaplan. Accepting the award for the second consecutive year as the trainer of 2012 of Champion Older Female and Female Sprinter Musical Romance, herself an Eclipse Award winner and Florida-bred Horse of the Year in 2011, Kaplan went right to the point with his comments.

“Musical Romance has meant a great deal to me but so have a lot of other Florida-breds. I’ve trained mainly Floridabreds because – quite simply – I buy only Florida-breds.”

Kaplan’s testimonial may have been the shortest of the three decorated conditioners, but his long history of backing his words by signing auction tickets on horses from the Sunshine State had just an impact if not more.

So the next time you find yourself in the market for a thoroughbred whether at an auction, private sale or through the claiming box, consider the words of three of the most successful trainers in the game and the final comments by Dr. Matthews.

“When it comes to Florida-breds – you can race ‘em or chase ‘em.” ■

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Filly by First Dude-Wallstreet Widow Breeder Hickstead Farm

Filly by First Dude out of Heritage House Breeder Double Diamond Farm

Colt by First Dude out of Heart Of a Champion Breeder Rowling Oaks

Filly by First Dude out of Dixie Sovereignty Breeder Double Diamond Farm

"If this is representative of First Dude's foals, people should be flocking to him to fill his book" SERITA HULT PHOTOS

Stephen Got Even—Run Sarah Run, by Smart Strike

– Barry Eisaman, Eisaman Equine, commenting on his two First Dude foals.

A history of success begins with attention to the individual.

Donald R. Dizney

Standing: First Dude • American Spirit • Wekiva Springs • 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 Compiled by Declan Doyle

COADY PHOTO

Fort Loudon

Florida-bred Fort Loudon

Florida-bred Fort Loudon is as game as they come. The Jacks or Better Farm’s homebred 4-year-old took as much pressure as the $150,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship (G3) field of eight runners could give him and he still managed to prevail by a halflength over his nearest rival in the Feb. 9, seven-furlong contest.

The son of Awesome of Course, who stands at Journeyman Stud in Ocala, Fla., sprung out of the gate under jockey Jose Lezcano to contest the pace while racing inside the 2-1 favorite Bahamian Squall and a keyed-up Big Grandpa. The unrelenting pressure was maintained until Big Grandpa eventually backed out of there leaving two familiar foes in Fort Loudon and Bahamian Squall to settle the issue in the stretch. Fort Loudon

Florida-bred Golden Mystery Gets a Late Sales

8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

Bertie field while laying close to the lead before streaking to the front entering the stretch and pulling away with little or no

COURTNEY HEENEY PHOTO

Hip number 175, Golden Mystery, was supposed be at Fasig-Tipton’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Ky. on Feb. 10 being shown to prospective buyers. Instead the 7-year-old mare was getting her photo taken in the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle. Nice update to the pedigree, and on that Sunday night the Florida-bred mare was on a van heading north to join the Hidden Brook, Agent, consignment in Barn 4 at Fasig- Tipton.

Golden Mystery won for her owner, the Farnsworth Stables’ one last time, scoring an impressive 3½-length victory in the $150,000 Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3).

The mare, who was last seen winning the $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Sprint on Jan. 19, went out on a high note toying with the Hurricane

Florida-bred Golden Mystery

urging from jockey Luis Saez.

Golden Mystery was the 5-2 favorite in a field of nine fillies and mares and cov-

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Journeyman Tabs Hemingway as Senior Bloodstock Associate

Wins Gulfstream Park Sprint grabbed a short lead in the late going and maintained the margin as Swagger Jack came late to grab second by a nose over Donald Dizney’s homebred Bahamian Squall.

Trained by Nick Zito, who had taken over training duties from Stanley Gold following a victory in the six-furlong Carry Back Stakes (G3) at Calder last July, it was Fort Loudon’s first victory for his current barn.

The colt had finished second in both the King's Bishop Stakes (G1) at Saratoga and the Ack Ack Handicap (G3) at Churchill Downs since the change of trainer.

Fort Loudon was last seen in a thirdplace finish in the Sunshine Millions Classic at 1 1/8 miles on Jan. 19.

“We want to thank Fred [Brei] for sending us nice horses,” said Zito. “Stan [Gold] deserves a lot of credit for developing him.

I told Jose [Lezcano] to do whatever he had to do to keep him out of trouble even if it meant going to the lead, and he did.”

“It was a game performance and great to win a race like this on Donn Day. I think it helped that he was coming off a distance race, but I think we’ll probably keep him at seven-eighths to a mile for now. He’ll come back in the mile race now, the Gulfstream Park Handicap [Mar. 9].”

Lezcano said, "He broke very well and I know he runs the way he did. l used him the whole way and got lucky."

Fort Loudon was timed in 1:21:84 over the track listed as fast.

Update in Hurricane Bertie ered the 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.96.

“We weren’t sure we were going to run.

I sent her home (to Farnsworth Farm) for four or five days before she was going to the sale. When I found out Dust and Diamonds got hurt, I told the owners I wanted to bring her back for this race. That was the filly to beat,” said trainer Marty Wolfson of his decision to race Golden Mystery in the 6 ½ -furlong stakes for fillies and mares after learning that the Todd Pletcher-trained Dust And Diamonds had been retired.

"I felt like I would win this race because I know this mare. This is her favorite weather, too, because she has a problem sweating. Martin Wolfson told me when she is coming down the stretch to let her run,” jockey Luis Saez said. “He wanted her in second or third position and that

would be perfect for her. She was very easy, amazing."

Fantasy of Flight, ridden by Javier Castellano, finished second, 1 ½ lengths ahead of another Wolfson trainee in Nakano and jockey Joel Rosario.

Wolfson hasn’t given up hope that Golden Mystery will find her way back to his barn and would like to see her new owners consider shipping her back on a return trip.

“I think she’s a Breeders’ Cup type,” Wolfson said. “She’s gotten so good. The older she gets, the better she’s gotten. She’s just happy.”

Golden Mystery was bred in the Sunshine State by Adena Springs and was produced from the St. Ballado mare Mysterious Angel.

Michelle Hemingway has been named Senior Bloodstock Associate at Brent & Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud, where she will primarily be responsible for stallion season sales and marketing for the farm.

“Crystal and I are excited to have Michelle join the staff at Journeyman Stud,” said Brent Fernung. “Her knowledge, enthusiasm and work ethic make her a perfect fit for Journeyman, and we believe our breeders and clients will benefit from her customer service and relationshipbuilding skills.”

A graduate of Sweet Briar College in Lynchburg, Virginia, Hemingway comes to Journeyman after serving Michelle Hemingway three years as Director of Bloodstock for Stonewall Farm Ocala, where she directed and oversaw the daily operations of the stallion division. She also recently worked as a consultant for Team Valor International.

Hemingway got her start in the Thoroughbred industry in South Africa shortly after college. She spent three years there, splitting time as an assistant to champion trainers Glen Kotzen and Joey Ramsden.

Hemingway returned to the States in 2008 to join Adena Springs’ former Ocala operation as a season sales assistant, and she has resided in Marion County since.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to join Journeyman, and I’m excited to work with such fantastic horsemen as Brent and Crystal Fernung,” she said. “I look forward to contributing to the highlyrespected Journeyman stallion division, as well as many other areas of the organization.”

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 9

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Florida FOCUS Florida-bred Red Lead Triumphs in $50,000 Curribot Handicap at Sunland Park sixth victory over Sunland Park soil and his 11th overall for trainer Chris Hartman. The son of Red Bullet earned $30,000 for owner Joey K. Davis. His career bankroll has swelled past the $725,000 mark. Red Lead has been a gem of consistency over the last few years at Sunland Park winning and placing frequently in stakes races. The winning time for the one

COACY PHOTO

The classy Florida-bred Red Lead returned to his old form with a rousing one and one-quarter length victory in the $50,000 Curribot Handicap at Sunland Park Racetrack and Casino on Feb. 10.

The seven-year-old gelding found a burst of energy in the final furlong to defeat a very solid field of stakes winners at his favorite racetrack.

Under jockey Enrique Gomez, Red Lead was forwardly placed down the backstretch racing closely with Global Stage and Hurricane Lake.

The multiple stakes winner launched his attack on the second turn and opened up a lead passing the quarter mile marker.

Red Lead set sail for home in upper stretch putting away a fast closing Hurricane Lake and Global Stage. The 4-1 shot collected his

Florida-bred Red Lead

and one-sixteenth miles was 1:42.84.

Hurricane Lake found his best strides too late and had to settle for second. The veteran stakes gelding was closing with interest but ran out of real estate under jockey Alfredo Juarez, Jr. He finished a good third in the Winsham Lad Handicap last month.

Ruidoso Thoroughbred Championship winner Global Stage made an eye catching middle move and was on par with the leaders at the midway point. He managed to split both Red Lead and Warren’s Knockout but could not seal the deal. He and jockey Ken Tohill finished third, beaten less than 2 lengths.

Red Lead was bred in Florida by Adena Springs and is out of the Unaccounted For mare Upside.

Calder Hall of Fame to Induct Nine in Class of ’13.

After a six-year hiatus, the Calder Casino & Race Course Hall of Fame will welcome nine new members to its roster when inducting three horses, two jockeys, two trainers, and two owners/breeders as part of the Class of 2013 on Saturday, April 13 at Calder.

“It is with great enthusiasm that Calder is bringing back the Hall of Fame to recognize those individuals and horses that have made lasting impressions both at Calder and at a national level,” Vice President and General Manager of Racing John Marshall said. “This year’s inductees will join a Hall of Fame roster that already includes over 50 Calder legends that have played vital roles in shaping the tradition of thoroughbred racing in Florida and beyond.”

Among those on the ballot in the horse category are five millionaires that started their career at Calder in Blazing Sword, Express Tour, In Summation, Not Surprising, and Soldier’s Dancer. Also nominated in the horse category is stakes winner and influential broodmare Lindsay Frolic, along with the brilliant yet ill-fated Three Ring.

A special horse inductee will also be selected from one of three recently retired Eclipse Award and Breeders’ Cup winners that had significant ties to Calder in Awesome Feather, Big Drama, and Musical Romance.

10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

Nominees in the various horsemen’s categories include Calder’s all-time leading rider Manoel Cruz, all-time top five trainer and multiple meet champion conditioner Dan Hurtak, and longtime prominent owner and breeder Monarch Stables, Inc. Ballots were distributed to the Calder Hall of Fame voting committee on Thursday, Feb. 14, and are due back in the Calder publicity office by Tuesday, Feb. 26.

The Calder Hall of Fame Class of 2013 will be announced at the annual Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA) Florida Champions Awards Gala at the Circle Square Cultural Center Ballroom in Ocala on Mon-

day, March 11, with the inductees to be honored at Calder on Saturday, April 13.

NOMINEES: Horse: Blazing Sword, Express Tour, In Summation, Lindsay Frolic, Not Surprising, Soldier’s Dancer, Three Ring; Awesome Feather, Big Drama, Musical Romance Jockey: Gary Boulanger, Javier Castellano, Eddie Castro, Manuel Cruz, Rene Douglas, Eduardo Nunez, Jose Santos, Cornelio Velasquez Trainer: Manuel Azpurua, Reed Combest, Daniel Hurtak, Kathleen O’Connell, Richard Root, Bennie Stutts, Jr., David Vivian Owner/Breeder: Francis W. Ballou, Donald Dizney, Jacks or Better Farm, Inc., Monarch Stables, Inc., Bernard and Bea Oxenberg, J. Mack Robinson, Rose Family Stable, Joel Sainer.

In the February issue of The Florida Horse magazine, the following information was inadvertently left off the list of Sires of Florida-bred Stakes Winners on page 70. We regret the error.

Sires of Florida-bred Stakes Winners

OUTFLANKER

PLEASANT TAP

PEACE RULES

POINT GIVEN

Bounding Bi

CASH RULES IZZY RULES MISSY RULES RULER OF LOVE

PICO CENTRAL (BRZ) Dinny Dinosaur

KISSER N RUN COIL

POMEROY

Bama Rose Positive Response U R Burnin Daylite

POSSE

ROLLING FOG

PROUD ACCOLADE GENTLEMANS CODE Hanger Thirtyeight Jossy Do It My Charming Clyde

PROUD CITIZEN Citizen Advocate

PUT IT BACK

Ashlee's Princess Billos Boy Boyfriend's Back

BRAVE DAVE Didn’t Take It HOBBS It Takes Heart IT’S ME MOM PUTYOURDREAMSAWAY Return It Super Chunky YARA

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Florida FOCUS

Good Lord. Super Stakes and Track Record for Florida-bred

COOLEY PHOTO

12 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

he trained a horse named Two Relics to a stakes victory here in the 1966 Florida Handicap when the track was called Florida Downs.

The 78-year-old Kaelin and his wife Betty have been married 57 years and live in Clearwater.

Rio New Bloodstock Agent at HallMarc HallMarc Stallions is proud to announce the hiring of Carole Rio as the farm’s newest bloodstock agent. While new to HallMarc Stallions, Florida’s largest stud farm, Rio is well-known in the Ocala/Marion County community. Along with husband, John, Rio bred the accomplished Floridabred millionaire Mucho Macho Man and has broCarole Rio ken and trained numerous other stakes horses.

Experienced in many facets of the industry, the Rios, who have lived in Ocala for 13 years, also consigned the sale topper to the 2006 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s fall mixed sale. The Rios were honored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association with the Needles Award for small breeders of the year in 2011.

“I’m excited to join the team at HallMarc Stallions,” Rio said. “It’s a fantastic opportunity, and I look forward to giving back to the industry by helping breeders plan their meetings to HallMarc’s impressive roster of stallions.”

JOE DIORIO PHOTO

set a stakes record for six furlongs in winning the Pelican Stakes earlier this meet.

“I was hoping someone else would soften [Action Andy] up early, but I know my horse and he is always closing,” Kaelin said. “In the Gulfstream race [a fourth-place finish], he came back with a hole in his back ankle, so that’s why he didn’t close that day.”

After Good Lord ran second in last season’s Pelican and fourth in the Super Stakes, he was third in a Tampa Bay Downs handicap later in the meet. Before leaving Oldsmar, Kaelin’s blacksmith discovered a quartercrack in his right front leg.

The son of HallMarc Stallions’ Greatness began rounding into top form soon after the problem was found, and won four stakes at four different tracks from June 30 through Nov. 3. And Kaelin believes he would have won a fifth at Hoosier Park in October had he not had a troubled trip and finished second.

“He’s been a great horse for us,” Kaelin said after Good Lord’s ninth victory in 46 starts. "I'm tickled to death. I'd been sick all week, but this makes me feel a lot better." First-place money of $45,000 raised Good Lord's career earnings to $477,109.

Florida-bred Good Lord Good Lord was bred last year. He’s been training better,” Kaelin in the Sunshine State by Marilyn Fazo Seltzer said after Good Lord’s ¾-length victory in of Williston and is out of the Whadjathink track-record time of 1:22.03 for seven fur- mare Dowager Lady.

Shank and Young are both residents of longs. “Any time a horse keeps prepping that Bowling Green, Ky. Shank won the 1989 Pelway, you know he’s fit,” Kaelin added.

Good Lord, who was ridden by Fer- ican at Tampa Bay with Intown for the Day, nando De La Cruz, needed every bit of fit- but Kaelin’s Tampa Bay Downs roots trace ness and toughness to stave off Action back much longer. The former jockey rode Andy, the 2012 Super Stakes winner who here in 1956 when it was Sunshine Park, and When his 6-year-old Florida-bred gelding Good Lord drew even with 3-2 favorite Action Andy at the top of the stretch in the $75,000 Super Stakes on Feb. 23 at Tampa Bay Downs, trainer Forrest Kaelin’s confidence shot up another notch.

Since his previous start Dec. 2 at Gulfstream in the Sunshine State Stakes, the Thomas D. Shank and Stan Young-owned Good Lord had strung together a series of local bullet workouts. The most impressive was a six-furlong workout in 1:112⁄5 on Feb. 3, a move one veteran Tampa Bay Downs observer told Kaelin was the fastest they had ever seen here at the distance.

So yes, Kaelin thought Good Lord could get the job done, even against defending champion Action Andy.

“He’s a better horse this year than he was

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Florida FOCUS

Repole Stable’s Florida-bred Unlimited Budget swept to the lead entering the stretch under Rosie Napravnik and drew off to win the $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G3) by 3¾ lengths at Fair Grounds on Feb. 23. Holt Racing LLS, Wesley Hawley and Robert Orth’s Promise Me More closed from last in the field of 10 to get second, four lengths ahead of Susan Knoll’s Blue Violet in the 11⁄16-mile race for 3-yearold fillies.

Unlimited Budget earned 50 points in the “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” points standings and sat atop that list after the Rachel Alexandra victory.

The winner sat well off fast early fractions of :22.88, :46.40 and 1:12.32 set by Dancinginthecircle. Into the far turn, Napravnik 14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

advanced five-wide and then powered past the rest of the field into the lane.

“She was much the best,” Napravnik said after her second graded stakes win of the afternoon. “It ended up being a crazy pace up front so we were a little further back but it set up well for her and she just galloped away with it.”

Unlimited Budget stopped the timer in 1:45.38 over a fast main track. Trained by Todd Pletcher, the Florida-bred daughter of Street Sense returned $5, $3.60 and $3 and increased her career earnings to $310,200.

Unlimited Budget is a daughter of Street Sense and was bred by Ocala Stud. She was produced by the Valid Appeal mare Unlimited Pleasure.

Promise Me More paid $11.80 and $6.40 while earning 20 points toward Kentucky Oaks qualifying.

“Second-best but coming on late,” Promise Me More’s trainer, Wes Hawley, said. “We will take that today. I don’t think we were going to catch that other filly but a mile-andone-eighth is a different story.”

The 11⁄8-mile $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) will be run on Louisiana Derby Day, March 30. Five of the last eight winners of that race have gone on to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1), including last year’s winner, Believe You Can. Florda-bred Singlet

Blue Violet paid $6.60 and earned 10 points toward the Kentucky Oaks, while fourth-place finisher Every Way got five points.

Florida-bred Singlet Wins Ruby Rubles Florida-bred Singlet put away a field of five fillies and mares in the $75,000 Ruby Rubles Stakes at Aqueduct on Jan. 25 to bring her lifetime earnings to $319,144 from a record of 13-6-3-2.

The 4-year-old filly had previously shown an affinity for Aqueduct having put together a productive campaign on the inner track circuit last year, winning or placing in seven of nine starts, including two stakes victories.

Singlet had entered the race as the field’s leading earner on the strength of three stakes victories, the first two of which were delivered at Aqueduct last winter in the Xtra Heat and Dearly Precious.

She had emerged victorious from the Garland of Roses Stakes over Aqueduct’s main track Dec. 1, and followed that with a pair of third-place efforts over Friday’s track and trip in the Interborough Stakes on Jan. 1, and the Correction Stakes on Feb. 2.

Slow to break, the 6-5 favorite quickly made up the lost ground, and reached the front-running second favorite Srumdiddlyumptious. Drawing even in midstretch, the pair dueled to the finish with Singlet coming out on top by a 1⁄2 length at the wire Singlet is trained by Tony Dutrow and was partnered by Cornelio Velasquez. She earned $45,000 for her owners. She was bred in Florida by Mc Kathan Brothers. The filly is by Real Quiet and is out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Taylor’s Choice.

COGLIANESE PHOTO

Florda-bred Unlimited Budget

HODGES PHOTO

Florida-bred Unlimited Budget Takes Grade 3 Rachel Alexandra

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Florida FOCUS

Persuasive Paul Convincing in Turf Paradise Derby In his race just prior to the $75,000 Turf Paradise Derby on Feb. 23, Persuasive Paul had a rough start against $80,000 optional claimers on the last day of January. After being bumped at the start, he finished last against a field of six, beaten 25 lengths by the winner, Super Ninety Nine. That may have been discouraging enough to keep the Florida-bred Persuasive Paul out of stakes company until Super Ninety Nine won the Grade 3 Southwest Stakes at Oaklawn Park by more than 11 lengths in his next race.

The confidence trainer Doug O’Neill showed in Persuasive Paul looked at little questionable for a moment as he again got bumped at the start of the 1 1⁄16-mile Turf Paradise Derby. But this time the son of Olmodavor and the Lure mare Witch of the Air would not be denied.

Breaking from post three in the nine-horse field, Persuasive Paul stayed mid-pack and just more than a length off of longshots Hard Nine and We Can Be Heroes who were setting fractions of :23.43 for the first two furlongs and :47.33 for the first half-mile.

Around the far turn, jockey Joe Steiner was in no hurry to get to the front as he sat patiently behind the leaders, waiting for running room on the 2-1 favorite while watching Scott Stevens take the lead on 5-2 third choice Brokered.

But Steiner kept Brokered in his sights, eventually getting to the front with just less than an eighth of a mile to run and going on to win by three and three-quarter lengths over that rival in second and Tiz Fitting in third.

The final time was 1:44.16 on the track rated fast.

It was the second win in three starts for Persuasive Paul who had won against maiden special weight company going a mile on grass at Santa Anita on Jan. 12. A graduate of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company 2012 June Sale of Two Year Olds and Horses of Racing Age where he sold for $45,000 from the consignment of Trade Winds Farm, Agent, Persuasive Paul was bred in Florida by William J. Kearns of Lady Lake, Fla. He currently races for John Fuller and has earned $93,490 from six career starts.

on

Florida-bred Persuasive Paul

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

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16 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

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Honoring L

ittle Mike had a big year. It was a racing season that included Grade 1 turf stakes wins at three different tracks, including the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Santa Anita Park. On the season, Little Mike earned a hefty bankroll of $2,668,742 on four wins and one third in but seven starts. Little wonder then that Little Mike was named the 2012 FloridaBred Horse of the Year as well as Florida-bred champion older male and champion turf male.

After opening 2012 with a win in the Florida Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream Park, Little Mike put on his traveling shoes and hit the road. The Dale Romans trainee rolled to a win in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs on May 5. Next stop was Arlington Park where he took another trip to the winner's circle for his victory in the Arlington Million Stakes (G1) on Aug. 18. Little Mike then made his way to the West Coast for the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) at Santa Anita Park on Nov. 3, where he scored a thrilling win. That victory made Little Mike a finalist for the Eclipse Award as champion turf male.

A 2007 bay gelding by Spanish Steps out of the Wavering Monarch mare Hay Jude, Little Mike is a family affair horse. He was bred by Carlo E. Vaccarezza, raced by his wife Priscilla and named for their son Mike. The Vaccarezzas, who used to own Break of Dawn Farm in Ocala, now live in Parkland, Florida.

Little Mike was broken and trained at Jimmy Crupi's New Castle Farm in Ocala.

At the 53rd Annual FTBOA Florida Champions Awards Gala on March 11 at 18 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

the Circle Square Cultural Center, Little Mike was officially honored as the 2012 Florida-Bred Horse of the Year. Also feted were all the 2012 Florida-bred champions with their breeders, owners and trainers. The 2012 Florida-bred champions article was published in the 2013 January issue of The Florida Horse.

Ocala Stud, J. Michael O'Farrell Jr., president, collected its third consecutive Florida Breeder of the Year award. Ocala Stud was also recognized as the breeder of Musical Romance, the 2012 Florida-bred champion older female and champion female sprinter.

Priscilla Vaccarezza, thanks to Little Mike, was honored as the 2012 Leading Owner by Florida-bred earnings. Little Mike just kept on giving as his dam, Hay Jude, was selected as the 2012 Florida Broodmare of the Year.

Put It Back, who stands at the Appleton Family's Bridlewood Farm, garnered the 2012 Florida Stallion of the Year and Leading Florida Juvenile Sire titles. Circular Quay, who stands at Brent and Crystal Fernung's Journeyman Stud, was the 2012 Leading Florida Freshman Sire.

2012 FLORIDA BREEDER OF THE YEAR

OCALA STUD (J. Michael O'Farrell Jr., President)

Ocala Stud was the 2012 leading Florida breeder by Florida-bred earnings with $3,153,794 on the way to collecting its third consecutive Florida Breeder of the Year title. In 2012, Ocala Stud was represented by five Florida-bred stakes winners: Grade 1 stakes winners Musical Romance and Turbulent

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

By JOANN GUIDRY

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

The spotlight shone bright on the Florida Thoroughbred industry's best in

Champion Older Male/Male Turf Horse Little Mike

Descent, Grade 2 stakes winner Unlimited Budget, as well as stakes winners Shadowbdancing and Vuelve Ruben M. In partnership with William Terrill, Ocala Stud also bred Florida-bred stakes winner Gourmet Dinner.

Musical Romance, who collected the 2011 Eclipse Award as champion female sprinter, was back in fine form in 2012. She opened the season with a win in the Inside Information Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park. For an encore, she scored the second Grade 1 win of her career with a triumph in the Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) at Calder. Musical Romance also won the Mike Sherman Memorial Stakes with a second in the Distaff Stakes (G1) and a third in the Gallant Bloom Handicap (G2). By deceased Concorde's Tune out of Candlelightdinner by Slew Gin Fizz, Musical Romance was sold by Ocala Stud for $22,000 at the 2009

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the Best 2012 at the annual FTBOA Florida Champions Awards Gala.

2012 FLORIDA STALLION OF THE YEAR 2012 LEADING FLORIDA JUVENILE SIRE

PUT IT BACK 1998 bay horse by Honour and Glory – Miss Shoplifter, by Exuberant

Unlimited Budget, a 2-year-old filly by Street Sense out of the Valid Appeal mare Unlimited Pleasure, scored a graded stakes win in but her second career start. The Repole Stable colorbearer won the Demoiselle Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct. Ocala Stud sold Unlimited Budget for $475,000 at the 2012 OBS March juvenile sale.

Shadowbdancing won the Jim Rasmussen Memorial Stakes and Prairie Meadows Handicap. Gourmet Dinner posted a win in the Majestic Light Stakes and Vuelve Ruben M. captured the Clasico Jose C. Barbosa Stakes.

SERITA HULT PHOTO

Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's April juvenile sale. Raced by Pinnacle Racing Stable and trainer William Kaplan, Musical Romance earned $464,035 in 2012 and retired with a career bankroll of $1,681,885. Musical Romance was sold for $1.6 million to Japan-based Northern Farm at the 2012 Fasig-Tipton November mixed sale.

Turbulent Descent, a 4-year-old filly by Congrats out of the Forestry mare Roger's Sue, won the Desert Stormer Handicap at Hollywood Park to open the season.

Shipped to Saratoga, Turbulent Descent tallied a victory in the Ballerina Stakes (G1).

Trained by Todd Pletcher, Turbulent Descent earned $353,290 in 2012 and has a career tally of $1,211,640. Ocala Stud sold Turbulent Descent for $160,000 at the 2010 OBS April juvenile sale.

PUT IT BACK garnered the dual titles of 2012 Florida Stallion of the Year and leading Florida juvenile sire. Put It Back led all Florida-based stallions by progeny earnings with $4,995,233. His juveniles of 2012 banked $1,267,459. He was also the leading Florida sire by number of stakes winners (11), stakes wins (17), graded stakes winners (5), winners (121) and juvenile winners (23). All earnings, stakes winners, stakes wins and wins totals include North American and international progeny as provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc. Put It Back's leading earner on the season was Florida-bred graded stakes winner Yara, who tallied $398,470. Bred by Brambly Lane Farm and Steve Dwoskin, Yara won the Davona Dale Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

Also representing Put It Back were Floridabred stakes winners It's Me Mom and Hobbs.

It's Me Mom, bred and raced by Thomas and Jean Bosch, won a trio of stakes. The 4-yearold filly posted victories in the Florida Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint at Gulfstream

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FLORIDA CHAMPIONS

20 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

2012 FLORIDA BROODMARE OF THE YEAR

HAY JUDE 1995 bay mare by Wavering Monarch – Double Norm, by Relaunch

HAY JUDE, the dam of Florida-bred multiple Grade I stakes winner Little Mike, was named the 2012 Florida Broodmare of the Year.

Little Mike, a 2007 bay gelding by former Florida stallion Spanish Steps, put together an impressive skein of three Grade 1 victories at three different racetracks. At Churchill Downs, Little Mike cruised to a two-and-ahalf length victory in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1) on May 5. Next stop was the Arlington Million Stakes (G1) on Aug. 18, where he scored win by a length. Little Mike's next start came in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) on Nov. 3 at Santa Anita Park and there he posted a halflength victory.

Bred by Carlo E. Vaccarezza and raced by Priscilla Vaccarezza, Little Mike also won the 2012 Florida Sunshine Millions Turf and was third in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1).

Trained by Dale Romans, Little Mike banked

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Park, Hilton Garden Inn Sprint Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs and Satin and Lace Stakes at Presque Isle Downs. On the year, she earned $224,934. Hobbs, bred by Minerva Stud, captured the Montserrat Stakes at Aqueduct and earned $156,840 on the season.

Put It Back's leading juvenile earner was Florida-bred graded stakes winner Brave Dave.

Out of the Songandaprayer mare Sing That Song, Brave Dave won the Sapling Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park. He also tallied victories in the Birdonthewire Stakes and Jack Price Juvenile Stakes at Calder. Bred by David Melin, Bea Oxenberg and Eddie Plesa Jr., Brave Dave earned $243,100 on the season.

Also representing Put It Back was Floridabred juvenile stakes winner Putyourdreamsaway

by Southern Chase Farm. Putyourdreamsaway won the Susan's Girl Stakes of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series and had seasonal earnings of $118,975.

Put It Back was also represented by New Jersey-bred stakes winner Partyallnightlong, as well as by five Argentine-bred runners, including graded stakes winners Naipede Ouro (Arg), Felicidad Is Back (Arg) and Tap Is Back (Arg).

Florida-bred graded stakes winner Put It Back was bred and raced by Hobeau Farm.

He won the 2001 Riva Ridge Stakes (G2) and Best Turn Stakes to earn $232,895. By Honour and Glory out of the Exuberant mare Miss Shoplifter, Put It Back entered stud at Bridlewood Farm in 2002. He stands as property of a syndicate.

Florida-bred Little Mike

seasonal earnings of $2,668,742 on four wins and one third in seven starts.

He has career earnings to date of $3,074,412. Little Mike, who was an Eclipse Award finalist for champion turf male, was named the 2012 Florida-bred champion older male and champion turf male.

Hay Jude, who earned $113,152, was given to Carlo Vaccarezza and she is the only broodmare the family currently owns. Hay Jude is also the dam of Florida-bred stakes winner Little Nick, who to date has earned close to $500,000. Both Little Mike and Little Nick are named after the Vaccarezzas' sons.

2012 LEADING FLORIDA FRESHMAN SIRE

CIRCULAR QUAY 2004 chestnut horse by Thunder Gulch – Circle of Life, by Belong to Me

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

COGLIANESE PHOTO

MUSICAL ROMANCE Champion Older Female; Champion Female Sprinter Breeder: Ocala Stud Owners: Pinnacle Racing & William Kaplan Trainer: William Kaplan

CIRCULAR QUAY was the 2012 leading Florida freshman sire by progeny earnings with $480,293, which includes North American and international earnings as provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc. He was represented by 10 winners from 24 starters to race in his initial crop. Included in that group were Florida-bred stakes winner Verso a Verso and Florida-bred stakes-placed Lavalette Gold.

Verso a Verso,who was Circular Quay's first stakes winner, was also her sire's leading money earner with $207,310. Out of the Bertrando mare Folk Art, Verso a Verso won the My Dear Girl Stakes of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series. She was also second in the

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$1,505,434, Circular Quay entered stud in 2002 at Brent and Crystal Fernung's Journeyman Stud. He stands as property of a syndicate.

JOHN & CAROLE RIO The 2012 Needles Award was presented to John and Carole Rio, who were represented as breeders by 2012 Florida-bred multiple graded stakes winner Mucho Macho Man. The Rios were also honored with the 2011 Needles Award. The Needles Award was established by

COURTEYS OF THE RIO’S

2012 NEEDLES AWARD

COADY PHOTO

John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes. Bred

by Brent and Crystal Fernung and Dr. Phil Matthews, Verso a Verso was sold by Journeyman Bloodstock, agent, for $11,000 to Juan F. Landaeta at the 2012 OBS April juvenile sale. She was claimed for $16,000 by trainer Luis Ramirez for Frank Calabrese after breaking her maiden on Aug. 16 at Calder in a maiden claiming race. Verso a Verso was named the 2012 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old filly.

Circular Quay was also represented by Florida-bred stakes-placed winner Lavalette Gold, who was second in the Joe'O'Farrell Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Calder.

Grade 1 millionaire Circular Quay won the 2006 Hopeful Stakes (G1), 2007 Louisiana Derby (G2) and 2008 New Orleans Handicap (G2). He also won the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) while finishing second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) and Lane's End Breeders' Futurity (G1). Retiring with earnings of

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

MERIT MAN Champion 2-Year-Old Colt Breeders: Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds & Stephen Barberino Owners: Bruce Chandler, Double Kee LLC & Purple Shamrock Racing Trainer: Robert Hess Jr.

the FTBOA to honor Florida breeders who own small Thoroughbred operations and have made outstanding contributions to the Florida thoroughbred industry.

Mucho Macho Man, who stands 17 hands, is a tough horse to overlook both for his size and his talent. A 2008 colt by Macho Uno out of the Ponch mare Ponche de Leona, Mucho Macho Man kicked off the season in winning fashion.

On Jan. 28 at Gulfstream Park, he bested fellow Florida-bred Ron the Greek by a length and a half in the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic.

His next visit to the winner's circle came after winning the Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) on March 10 by two lengths over fellow Floridabred Tackleberry. Trainer Kathy Ritvo next saddled Mucho Macho Man in the Suburban VERSO A VERSO Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Breeders: Brent & Crystal Fernung/Dr. Phil Matthews Owner: Frank Calabrese Trainer: Luis Ramirez THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 21

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FLORIDA CHAMPIONS

Company's October Mixed Sale. The 2006 bay colt by Flatter out of Cresta Lil, by Cresta Rider, was purchased by Picturesque Farm.

Flat Out won the 2012 Jockey Club Gold Cup by a head over Stay Thirsty with Fort Larned third. He also posted a second in the Monmouth Cup Stakes (G2) with thirds in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1). Raced by Preston Stables LLC and trained by William Mott, Flat Out earned $1,225,000 on the season.

The Joe O'Farrell Memorial Award is presented annually by the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company to the original consignor of the year's best Florida-bred racehorse offered at public auction in Florida. The award is named after Joe O'Farrell, who was part of the syndicate that founded Ocala Stud in 1956 and who was a pioneer in establishing public thoroughbred auctions in Florida.

COGLIANESE PHOTO

HANCOCK PHOTO

Handicap (G2) on July 7 at Belmont Park. This time the big bay colt notched a win by two and a half lengths over Hymn Book.

Owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, Mucho Macho Man's stellar season also included seconds in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1). He was also third in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) on his way to banking $1,712,767.

The Rios sold Mucho Macho Man privately as a two year old. In 2011, the Rios sold Ponche de Leona, the dam of Mucho Macho Man, for $300,000 at the Keeneland November mixed sale. For their small breeding operation, which currently includes three broodmares, the Rios at this writing lease 40-acre RoseGrove Farm. They also sell under the consignor name of Caballo Grande and lease stalls at the Ocala Horse Farm Complex for their training division.

2012 LEADING OWNER BY FLORIDA-BRED EARNINGS

PRISCILLA VACCAREZZA Priscilla Vaccarezza led all owners by Florida-bred earnings with $2,668,742. The entire earnings amount was banked by Florida-bred Grade 1 stakes winner Little Mike, bred by Carlo Vaccarezza. The latter is Priscilla Vaccarezza's husband and Little Mike is named after one of the couple's sons.

The Vaccarezzas, who live in Parkland, Floria, previously owned Break of Dawn Farm in Ocala.

Little Mike, a 5-yearold gelding by Spanish Steps out of the Wavering Monarch mare Hay Jude, had a storybook season. He won stakes at four different tracks, including three Grade 1 events at a trio of venues. Little Mike opened the season with a three-quarters length win in the Florida Sunshine Millions Turf at Gulfstream Park. Then it was time to take his act on the road.

Next up was a victory by two and a half lengths in the Turf Classic Stakes (G1) at COADY PHOTO

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

EDEN'S MOON Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Breeder: Bridlewood Farm Owner: Kaleem Shah Trainer: Bob Baffert

FORT LOUDON Champion 3-Year-Old Colt Breeder/Owner: Jacks Or Better Farm Trainer: Stanley Gold

2012 JOE O'FARRELL MEMORIAL AWARD

CONSIGNOR: Thoroughstock, agent (Gary Mesnick) The 2012 Joe O'Farrell Memorial Award was presented to Thoroughstock, agent, as the original consignor of Florida-bred Grade 1 stakes winner Flat Out. Bred by Nikolaus Bock, Flat Out was sold as a weanling for $11,000 at the 2006 Ocala Breeders' Sales 22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

COADY PHOTO

HORSE: Flat Out

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COIL Champion Male Sprinter Breeder: Glen Hill Farm Owners: Karl Watson, Michael E. Pegram & Paul Weitman Trainer: Bob Baffert

2012 LEADING FLORIDA TRAINER OF FLORIDA-BREDS -BY STAKES WINS

STANLEY GOLD Stanley Gold trained three Florida-bred stakes winners to eight stakes wins at Florida racetracks in 2012.

All of Gold's stakes wins came at Calder Race Course.

Fort Loudon won the Carry Back Stakes (G3), Unbridled Stakes and In Summation Stakes. Fort Loudon was named the 2012 Florida-bred champion 3-year-old colt.

Awesome Belle posted victories in a quartet of Calder stakes: Frances A. Genter Stakes,

2012 LEADING FLORIDA TRAINER OF FLORIDA-BREDS-BY EARNINGS

WILLIAM KAPLAN

Kathleen O'Connell and Kirk Ziadie each trained Florida-breds to 46 wins at Florida racetracks in 2012. Among O'Connell's wins were those posted by Florida-bred stakes winners Two T's At Two B and Kanturk Kid. Two T's At Two B won the Dr. Fager Stakes of the Florida Stallion Stakes and Frank Gomez Stakes at Calder. Kanturk Kid captured the Arthur I. Appleton Juvenile Turf Stakes at Calder. Kirk Ziadie’s top charge, Blues and Silver, won three of his 46 total wins ■ BAY TO BAY Champion Turf Female Breeder: Adena Springs Owner: Robert Smithen Trainer: Brian Lynch

FOUR FOOTED FOTO

COADY PHOTO

William Kaplan trained Florida-breds to earnings of $1,599,632 at Florida racetracks in 2012. Kaplan trained four Florida-bred stakes winners who contributed to that winning grand total. Leading the way was Musical Romance, who won the Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) at Calder, Inside Information (G2) Stakes at Gulfstream Park and Mike Sherman Memorial Stakes at Calder. Musical Romance was named the 2012 Florida-bred champion older female and female sprinter.

Another Romance captured the Azalea Stakes (G3) and Leave Me Alone Stakes, both at Calder.

Putyourdreamsaway posted

KATHLEEN O'CONNELL & KIRK ZIADIE

SHERIDAN PHOTO

a win in the Susan's Girl Stakes and Wild Bout Tiffany scored a tally in the U Can Do It Handicap, both at Calder.

LAMONT PHOTO

Churchill Downs. Traveling to Arlington Park, Little Mike scored a tally by a length and a half in the Arlington Million Stakes (G1).

Shipped across the country to Santa Anita Park, Little Mike took center stage in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) with a decisive halflength triumph. Also third in the Shoemaker Mile Stakes (G1), Little Mike wrapped up his phenomenal season with four wins and one third to bank $2,668,742. He was named the 2012 Florida-bred champion older male and turf male. He was also a 2012 Eclipse Award finalist for champion turf male.

2012 LEADING FLORIDA TRAINERS OF FLORIDA-BREDS- BY RACES WON (TIE)

LISA PHOTO

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Judy's Red Shoes Stakes, Three Rings Stakes and Crystal Rail Stakes. Redbud Road won the French Village Stakes.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 23

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Record $1.8 Mil. Swing Gets Smart Strike Colt

New Record for OBS

By BROCK SHERIDAN

the horse,” Moynihan said. “We’ve had a great deal of he Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company had excite- luck with Smart Strikes. [This colt] looks like he’ll be ment not seen in years Mar. 13 when Hip Num- a two turn, long-striding horse and I hope we can get ber 333, a gray or roan colt by 1996 Philip Iselin him to the big dances as a 3-year-old.”

The second highest seller on the day was Hip NumHandicap (G1) winner and twice leading sire Smart Strike lit up the price board at $1.8 million on the final ber 276, a War Front colt out of the Horse Chestnut (SAF) mare Henna, herself a half-sister bid from John Moynihan, who was acting on behalf of Barbara Banke’s StonThat [price] was to multiple graded stakes winner and sire Pomeroy. Consigned by Robert and estreet Stable. It was the highest seller at about right. He Mary Harris’ Harris Training Center, the OBS March Selected Sale of juvecould have brought Agent in Williston, Fla., the bay colt went niles since 2006 when Garifine (Belong any amount. to Steven W. Young for $600,000 after to Me out of Vassar, by Royal Academy) —consignor Paul Reyes working an eighth of a mile in :101⁄5. went to Buzz P. Chase, Agent from the Wavertree Stables consignment of Ciaran Dunne.

It was the second consecutive year that the Harris Out of the Pulpit mare Mini Sermon, herself a operation had success at the OBS March sale having Grade 2 stakes winner of $272,930, the 2007 Top Flight consigned the $800,000 sale-topper last year.

Handicap (G2) and a producer of one other registered Hot action went right to the end of the two day aucfoal not yet of racing age, the star seller also turned tion that catalogued 345 2-year-olds in training as Hip heads Mar. 8 during the sec- Number 343 brought a $485,000 bid from Gary Young, ond day of the under tack Agent for Deron Pearson. Peregin is a April 2, chestnut show by working an eighth colt by the popular sire Malibu Moon and out of the of a mile in a bullet :09 4/5. Unbridled’s Song mare My Way, a half-sister to graded That was tied with two oth- stakes winner Acadamy Award. ers that topped the 77 works For the session 83 horses sold for a total of at that distance that day over $15,077,000 compared with 86 youngsters grossing the Ocala Training Center $12,720,000 at last year’s second session. The average Safetrack surface. price was $181,651, up 22.8% from $147,907 last year Consigned by Raul Reyes’ while the median price soared to $135,000 from Kings Equine, the April 12 $110,000 in 2012. The buyback percentage was 27.2%; colt was first sold as a wean- it was 25.9% a year ago. Fifty-nine horses sold for ling at the Keeneland Novem- $100,000 or more compared with 45 last year. ber Sale for $100,000 before For the entire sale 182 horses sold for a total of Reyes’ snatched him from the $28,871,000 compared with 180 horses grossing Fasig-Tipton October Sale for $24,739,500 in 2012. The average price was a March $115,000. Although the air record $158,632, up 15.4% compared with $137,442 around OBS was all a buzz in 2012 and breaking the sale record average of after the gavel dropped, Reyes $143,262 set in 2008. The median price was a record seemed rather reserved in his $127,500, compared with the previous sale record of comments. $100,000 equaled a year ago and first set in 2008. The “That [price] was about buyback percentage was 22.9%; it was 25% last year. right,” Reyes said. “He could The next sale at OBS is the Spring Sale of 2-Yearhave brought any amount.”

Olds in Training, set for April 22rd through April 25th Moynihan seemed a bit more animated. with Under Tack Shows scheduled for April 16th “I didn’t think he would go for that much but I loved through 19th. ■

T

“

Hip No. 333 ties OBS record at $1.8 million at the OBS Two-Year-Old in Training Sale.

24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

LOUISE REINGEL PHOTO

”

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LEGISLATIVEUPDATE Special to Florida Equine Publications Inc.— March 2013

FTBOA Pre-Session Report

By FTBOA Lobbyist MATT BRYAN complete committee membership at www.myfloridahouse.gov.

We expect very little substantive action impacting the thorhe legislature has begun committee meetings in preparation for the 2013 legislative session. The session opened on March oughbred breeding or pari-mutuel industries in either committee until after the session ends. We believe both committees will 5 and is scheduled to end on May 3.

It is often said that the legislature only has to pass one bill: the then tour the state in the interim before the 2014 session to hear budget. For the first time in several years, the legislature will not from the public on how to address gaming. It is widely believed have to make significant reductions to the budget. In fact, it ap- that the legislature will address the gaming issue in the same fashion as they addressed redistricting pears that the legislature will have enough that the last year. That means a large number of money to fund a few new programs.

As you have read for some time, the FTBOA has been working on public hearings throughout the state and then many more in Tallahassee before the House and Senate have appointed Gaming our legislative agenda for 2014 session. Florida thoroughbred Committees. The publicly stated purpose for these new committees is to spend the many weeks, even before these breeders, owners and the FTBOA will next year carefully considering the current gaming committees were cre- certainly have the opportunity to be heard on this issue. gaming situation in Florida while beginning Please be assured that the FTBOA has to develop legislation to consider for the ated. Nothing is left to chance 2014 session that would address the Semi- and the leaders in the House been working on our legislative agenda for many weeks, even before these gaming nole Indian Compact, destination resorts and Senate know about your committees were created. Nothing is left to and casinos, expansion of products at parimutuel facilities, live racing, breeding and agri-business and your issues chance and the leaders in the House and Senate know about your agri-business and training, and much more. The idea is comand concerns. your issues and concerns. It also goes withprehensively address every segment of the out saying, that even though we do not angaming sector to create a regulatory enviticipate any material developments this ronment that is good for the State of Florida session as far as our industry goes, that does and the industries worthy of continued state not mean that we—particularly your CEO, investment and attention.

Officers, Directors along with myself— The Chair of the Senate Gaming Comwon’t be walking the legislative halls, taking mittee is Garrett Richter, a banker from meetings, attending hearings and otherwise Naples. He does not have much experience spreading the word about the many benefits in this area and that is generally viewed as and challenges associated with thorougha positive because he doesn’t bring pre-conbred breeding and owning in Florida. And ceived notions about which segment of the should something of note, by chance, hapindustry should be favored over another. pen to develop in terms of opportunity or Senator Charlie Dean, who represents a part challenge, we plan as always to be there and of Marion County, also sits on this comon top of it. mittee. Senator Dean has long been a friend There is much work to be done and we to thoroughbred breeders, owners, and look forward to advocating, assisting and trainers. You can access the complete comFTBOA Lobbyist Matt Bryan supporting our significant segment of the mittee membership at www.flsenate.gov.

The Chair of the House Gaming Committee is Rob Schenk, agricultural and pari-mutuel industry in achieving important legfrom Hernando County. Representative Schenk is a relative islative progress to help foster an increasingly vibrant and imnewcomer to gaming issues as well. He is known to be a hard proving thoroughbred breeding, owning, farming and training worker who digs deeply into controversial issues, so he is prob- industry. We look forward to working with you and being emably the right man for the job in the House. You can access the powered by your support. ■

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26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

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FTBOAMEMBERSHIP

UPDATES

Keeping members informed EDUCATION STATION

Early results from our Member Communication Survey revealed that members would like more Equine/Agriculture Industry news, so we’ve created Education Station located on the FTBOA website at www.FTBOA.com. Go to Member Information (column at the top), then click to select Education Station. Education Station contains Best Management Practices, Florida Equine Institute programs and video presentations and the University of Florida equine research publications. Additional resources will be added throughout the year. Members can also stop by the office to view the materials in the FTBOA Member Library.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATES

Thank you to the Outreach Committee members who collected items for the Florida Thoroughbred Charities silent auction held at the Awards Gala. Items collected included World Series tickets, Indy 500 tickets, Irish Derby tickets, a limited edition print of Needles, a rare rocking horse, donations from hotels and restaurants in the state along with business services. The Charity Committee is working on ideas for future fundraisers and socials. The Communications Committee is reviewing the member communication survey submitted by members and the compiled results will be featured in an upcoming issue of The Florida Horse. The Communication committee also has recommended the use of the e-mail delivery system, Constant Contact, for the member e-newsletter, so if you have not provided your e-mail to FTBOA, please do so.

DERBY ARTIST FEATURED AT THE FTBOA MUSEUM AND GALLERY IN OCALA

Florida resident Derek Gores was honored this year as the artist of the Official Kentucky Derby and Oaks artwork. He joins 28 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

the ranks of celebrated artists who have had their works chosen to celebrate the world’s most legendary horse race. The exhibit runs through April 8. Museum hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (closed noon to 1 p.m.). Admission is free and open to the public. Gores is generously donating 35% of sales from the commissions to Florida Thoroughbred Charities.

AND THE WINNER IS …

FTBOA members who advertise in Florida Equine Publications have a chance to win a free ad each month they advertise.

Our January winner is Ocala Stud chosen randomly from all the publications’ advertisers from the month. They receive a free banner ad in Wire to Wire for March.

AND OUR NEXT WINNER IS ….

The winner of the drawing for those who submitted the Member Communications survey by the postmark of Feb. 15 is member Valerie Ammirato. The winner received a 2 night stay at Courtyard Marriott Ocala on 3712 SW 38th Avenue. Thank

you to all our members who completed surveys and thanks to Courtyard by Marriott-Ocala for donating the hotel package.

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED CHARITIES UPDATE

Currently, there are three fundraisers underway. The FTBOA is selling 2013 racing calendars with the proceeds going to FTC. The calendars are available at the offices for $7.50 for members and $10 for non-members. From March through April 8, 35% of commissions received from the Derek Gores Art Exhibition will go to charity along with the proceeds from the silent auction held on March 11.

I REMEMBER WHEN

A member suggested this as a topic for members to reminisce about a memorable farm or racetrack moment or perhaps an encounter with a racing legend – human or equine. If you’ve got an “I Remember When” moment, please send it along to Tammy at tgantt@ftboa.com, fax or write us, we’d love to hear about it.

FTBOA staff Becky Robinson and Tammy Gantt promote Florida-breds in downtown Ocala at What’s Up Ocala’s first annual business expo and fashion show.

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FTBOAMEMBERSHIP

UPDATES

Keeping members informed FTBOA MEMBER DISCOUNTS

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is now offering discounts to FTBOA members for their educational programs. FTBOA members receive a $10 discount off registration for the upcoming 6th Annual Healthy Horses Conference on Saturday, April 27, 2013. Early registration is $39, FTBOA members pay $29 (a $10 savings) when registered by Friday, April 19, 2013. Student registration is $15. Registration is limited and required and can be completed online via the University at http://conferences.dce.ufl.edu/Equine/reg.aspx.

Healthy Horses is an educational day with a focus on successful equine health care. The day includes lectures, lunch and live equine demonstrations. This

year’s topics will include new therapies for non-sweaters, lameness, fly control, forage selection and feeding, equine phythiosis, and breeding the sub-fertile mare among others. The program includes tours and demos of a high speed treadmill as well as a conformation demonstration. Presenters include the board certified faculty of UF’s Large Animal Hospital and the conference is coordinated by DVM Amanda M. House. A brief summary folder of the lectures will be provided. The Conference is at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, 2015 SW 16th Avenue, Gainesville FL 32608.

Here’s an additional list of discounts.

Identify yourself as an FTBOA member when booking and present your FTBOA membership card at the time of service for discount. An updated listing can be found at www.ftboa.com under Member Information, click Discounts.

FARM SERVICES

Agricon - in conjunction with Kubota, offers a significant discount of 6% to 10% on Kubota products; 5211 Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala; 352-368-2400.

Double R Manufacturing, Inc. - 10% off on products including temporary stalls, European-style stalls, ironwork doors, gates, windows and barn equipment; 5529 SW 1st Lane, Ocala 34474; 352-362-2633 for Advantage Group/FTBOA discount. If you have a business service you would like to offer members as a discount, please contact tgantt@ftboa.com.

sells out quickly, advance booking recommended; 2501 N Ocean Dr., Hollywood FL 33019; 954-924-2202.

Hampton Inn Hallandale Beach/Aventura - near Gulfstream Park; 15% off best available rate for king or double; 1000 S Federal Hwy, Hallandale FL 33009; 954874-1111.

Homewood Suites by Hilton, Ocala at Heathbrook - $60+ savings, $109 studio, $119 king bedroom suite; full kitchen, breakfast included daily, dinners weeknights with complimentary beer/wine.

PHONE # Hilton of Ocala – $109 standard, $124 executive level; 3600 SW 36th Ave, Ocala; 352-854-1400.

Days Inn Ocala - $69.99 plus tax; 3825 NW Blichton Rd, Ocala; 352-484-0800 RESTAURANTS

La Cuisine French Restaurant, 15% off bill; 48 SW 1st Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471; (352) 433-2570 Feta Mediterranean Cuisine; Buy two glasses of their fantastic wine (must be over 21), get the bottle for free ; 306 SW Broadway St., Ocala FL 34471; 352-433-4328 GOLFING

Ocala National Golf Club, $39 + tax per person; introductory offer - 18 holes of championship golf, greens fees, cart rental and deli sandwich, chips and beer; 352-629-7980 for 7 day advance tee times. Offer expires May 31, 2013.■

HOTELS

Marriott Hollywood Beach - beachfront near Gulfstream Park; $249 special rate ($90 savings) from February 8 – April 13, 2013. All are plus tax and parking. Hotel 30 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

Tammy Gantt, member services coordinator, contributing editor

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Jack T.Hammer is enjoying racing success with Florida-bred Grade 1 stakes winner Ron the Greek.

By JOANN GUIDRY here are many ways to become involved in the thoroughbred business, including public auctions, claiming at the racetrack and private sales transactions. Jack T. Hammer, breeder and co-owner of Florida-bred multiple Grade 1 winning millionaire Ron the Greek, took a rather unconventional path via a cemetery. That's right, a cemetery.

Hammer, a commercial real estate developer, had owned an Atlanta cemetery for 10 years when he had an opportunity to sell it in 1992. The company he sold the cemetery to was SCI Corp., which was headed by successful thoroughbred horseman William Heiligbrodt of Houston.

T

32 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

“A friend had taken me to lunch at Calder Race Course once and I had enjoyed the day at the races,” said Hammer, a New York native who now lives in Miami Beach. “When I met Bill on the cemetery deal, he offered me a partnership in a horse. I decided to take him up on the offer.”

The horse was Hyroglyphic, who became a graded stakes winner of $435,260. Among his stakes wins was the 1994 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3).

“Well, that was it, I was hooked on thoroughbred racing,” said Hammer. “But, of course, I found out that it wasn't as easy to be successful as I thought.”

The Hammer and Heiligbrodt partnership next raced multiple stakes winner Unruled. Heiligbrodt had paid

SERITA HULT PHOTO

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JACK T.

HAMMER

Jack T. Hammer and his wife Shirley

$125,000 for the 1993 gelding by Notebook out of Splash Em Baby, by Bucksplasher, at the 1995 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March juvenile sale. Unruled's stakes wins included the 1998 Spend a Buck Handicap. An earner of $623,277, Unruled was also second in the 1998 Donn Handicap (G1).

The next big racehorse for Hammer was Floridabred, graded stakes winner Forty One Carats. Acquired privately, Hammer raced the 1996 colt by Tactical Advantage out of the Alysheba mare Aly's Jul, in partnership with New, New & New. In 1999, Forty One Carats won the Pegasus Handicap (G2) and Indiana Derby on his way to career earnings of $828,843.

“Racing Unruled and Forty One Carats was a lot of fun,” said Hammer, whose Housing Systems Inc, develops, owns and operates affordable low-income housing throughout the Southeast. “Once you've had a good racehorse, you want another one. I liked buying two year olds in training. Then I became involved in some broodmare partnerships with Mike Sherman and his Farnsworth Farms.”

AN EYE FOR FLAMBE'

At the 2000 OBS February juvenile sale, Hammer had his eye on a Florida-bred filly by Fortunate Prospect out of Flambeau, by Dixieland Band, in the Farnsworth Farms consignment. The filly was bred by Gerald Robins, a longtime friend and thoroughbred business partner of Sherman.

“But the price kept going up, so I finally stopped bidding on her,” said Hammer. “She turned out to be a buyback and Robins raced her. But I kept my eye on her. I really liked her conformation and her breeding. I thought she'd be a good broodmare.”

The filly named Flambe' won only two races and earned $58,195. But that didn't deter Hammer. When she was offered for sale at the 2002 OBS January winter mixed sale, Hammer bought her for $4,700 in the name of his Buckingham Stables. Turns out Hammer's intuition about Flambe's bloodlines was right. She is a

RON THE GREEK 2007 bay horse by Full Mandate – Flambe',by Fortunate Prospect Breeder: Jack T. Hammer Owners: Brous Stable, Wachtel Stable & Jack T. Hammer Trainer: William Mott CAREER STAKES RECORD* 1st – 2012 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) 1st – 2012 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) 1st – 2010 Lecomte Stakes (G3) 1st – 2013 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic 1st – 2011 Queens County Stakes CAREER RACE RECORD/EARNINGS* 23-8(6)-5(3)-1(1)/$1,806,597 34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

1st – 2011 Sunny and Mild Stakes 2nd – 2012 Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1) 2nd – 2012 Oaklawn Handicap (G2) 2nd – 2012 Florida Sunshine Millions Classic 3rd – 2011 Three Coins Up Stakes

*Statistics Through Feb. 10, 2013

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enjoy the horses.

“I loveI stillgoingveryoutmuch to the farm to see our horses. It's a great distraction from my other businesses and it's just so relaxing.

Of course, I go to the races whenever I can. That's where the excitement is.

”

—Jack Hammer full sister to stakes-placed Fortuesque, who is the dam of multiple graded stakes-winning millionaire Musket Man. In 2009, Musket Man won the Illinois Derby (G2) and Tampa Bay Derby (G3). He was also third in both the Kentucky Derby presented by Yum Brands (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1). But Flambe' would soon best her older sister as a broodmare.

In 2006, Flambe' produced an Omega Code filly named Max Speed. Raced by Hammer's Buckingham Stable and trainer Gordon Potter, Max Speed was stakesplaced and banked $107,188. The following year, Flambe' produced a Full Mandate colt that would take Hammer to another level of racing success.

“I was boarding my horses at Bridlewood Farm in Ocala at the time,” said Hammer. “My good friend Ron Skrumbellos, who also lived in Ocala, would go by the farm to check on my horses. When he saw Flambe's Full Mandate colt, he called me and told me there was something special about him. So when it came time to name the colt, I named him Ron the Greek in honor of my friend.”

Special indeed. As a 3-year-old in but his fourth lifetime start, Ron the Greek won the 2010 Lecomte Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds for Hammer. He followed that with

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2011 wins in the Sunny and Mild Stakes and Queens County Stakes. Also in 2011, Hammer became partners with Nils Brous’ Brous Stable of New York City and Adam Wachtel’s Wachtel Stable of Briarcliff, N.Y., in Ron the Greek, who then joined trainer Bill Mott's stable that July.

“I hadn't won a graded stakes in more than 10 years,” said Hammer. “So I was pretty happy at that point that Ron the Greek had won a graded stakes.”

And then came 2012.

On March 3, Ron the Greek rolled to a three-and-ahalf length win in the Santa Anita Handicap (G1). Three months later, he captured the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) while besting eventual 2012 Horse of the Year Wise Dan by a head. Add in seconds in the Whitney Invitational Handicap (G1), Oaklawn Handicap (G1), Florida Sunshine Millions Classic and a fourth in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) on the way to earning $1,326,932.

“It was a very exciting year,” said Hammer. “He really is a special horse.”

And 2013 could be an encore. Ron the Greek opened the season with a rousing 11-lengths plus victory in the Florida Sunshine Millions Classic on Jan. 19 at Gulfstream Park. His career earnings to date are $1,806,597.

STILL ENJOYING THE RIDE

COGLIANESE PHOTO

Today Hammer boards his horses at Roy Lerman’s Lambholm South, just north of Ocala in nearby Reddick.

He has two broodmares in Flambe' and Baba's Mandate, as well as three 2-year-olds in training there. The latter group includes Flambe's 2011 Bernardini colt, Baba's Mandate's 2011 Put It Back colt and a 2011 Midnight Lute colt out of the deceased mare Advantage, who was a full sister to the aforementioned Forty One Carats.

Flambe' had a 2012 Harlan's Holiday filly and is in foal for 2013 to Candy Ride (Arg). Baba's Mandate, a full sister to Ron the Greek and who earned $97,856, had a 2012 Pioneerof the Nile filly and is in foal for 2013 to High Cotton.

“Baba's Mandate was named after my wife Shirley,” said Hammer. “Our grandchildren, we have seven, call her Baba. Shirley loves the horses and one of her favorite things to do is name them.”

Having now been in the thoroughbred business for 20 years, Hammer is still enjoying the ride.

“I still very much enjoy the horses,” said Hammer.

“I love going out to the farm to see our horses. It's a great distraction from my other businesses and it's just so relaxing. Of course, I go to the races whenever I can.

That's where the excitement is.”

Thanks to Ron the Greek and a cemetery. ■

Florida-bred Ron the Greek

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 35

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the Best State for Business

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

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

• No personal state income tax.

• No individual capital gains tax.

• National leader in veterinary and equine research.

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

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

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

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

• No tax on stallion seasons.

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

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

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“

By BROCK SHERIDAN

W

ith Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up The Lumber Guy, the Bob Bafferttrained Capital Account and Midnight Transfer, a winner against optional claimers in 103 Beyer fashion last out after a nine-month lay-off; among the favorites for the Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita on Feb. 23, it was no wonder that Florida-bred Sahara Sky was the fourth choice on the tote board. Even though he had just won the Grade 2 Palos Verdes Stakes ten days earlier at the same Southern California track while garnering a 102 Beyer number himself, Sahara Sky was let go with 6-1 odds, just as morning line maker Jon White had predicted.

But a repeat performance of the six furlong Palos Verdes, again earning a 102 Beyer in the seven furlong San Carlos, was enough to get the Florida-bred Sahara Sky his second consecutive stakes win.

Trained by Jerry Hollendorfer, who co-owns Sahara Sky with Fairplex Racing and Barretts’ Sales Company General Manager Kim Lloyd and his Sweetwater Stable, Sahara Sky was allowed to settle into sixth position early under jockey Joe Talamo.

Some six lengths behind leader Justin Phillip and fellow Florida-bred Comma to the Top after a rapid quarter mile in :22.11, Sahara Sky remained far back until the field of eight began to round the far turn. That’s when Talamo allowed the son of Pleasant Tap and the Storm Cat mare Seeking the Sky to begin moving while racing four-wide.

By the time they hit the top of the stretch, Comma to the Top was a length in front of Justin Phillip, who still had two lengths on the now menacing Sahara Sky in third. Sahara Sky drifted out slightly but Talamo 38 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

in San Carlos continued to urge him with a left handed whip, eventually getting the lead and holding off another rally

by Capital Account to win by three-quarters of a length. Comma to the Top held on for third as the teletimer stopped in 1:21.28.

“They had a real hot pace,” Talamo said after the race. “It really set up good for us today. I’ll tell you what, this horse is one of those that only gets better with age.

It was going so fast up there [early], but my horse was really running the last part.”

Bred in Florida by Martin Stables of Indianapolis, Ind., Sahara Sky was purchased privately after a $20,000 maiden claiming win at Delta Downs in November of 2010. Remaining competitive against mainly allowance and optional claimers during the next two years, Sahara Sky started the year by winning the Palos Verdes. Now two-for-two on the year in two stakes, Sahara Sky has career earnings of $356,680 from six wins and 14 starts.

“This horse is a different horse this year,” Lloyd said. “He’s run well all the time, but he would put so much into his races when he was fresh, that he didn’t seem to have that same finish in his subsequent races. He’s matured now though and he’s firing back to back.”

Comma to the Top, who never had much of a break during the race after leading the field through a :43.88 half-mile after that rapid first quarter, made the top three for the 15th time in 27 career starts. He was bred in the Sunshine State by Richard and Linda Thompson of Morriston, Fla. ■

Kim Lloyd, right, celebrates Sahara Sky’s victory with jockey Joseph Talamo.

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTOS

Sahara Sky Stays Solid

”

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he Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association each year supplements the stakes schedules at each of the Florida race tracks in an effort to further promote the Florida thoroughbred.

This winter the FTBOA again teams up with Gulfstream Park in Hallandale and Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar to present a lucrative schedule of stakes races both for open company and those exclusively for Florida-breds. Gulfstream Park annually puts the spotlight on Florida-breds during their Sunshine Millions Day while Tampa Bay highlights their Florida equine natives on Florida Cup Day. Sunshine Millions Day will be conducted this year on Jan. 19 and will feature six races worth $1.3 million including the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic. The Classic was won last year by Mucho Macho Man, who would go on to have a banner year in 2012 culminating with his runner-up performance to Fort Larned in the $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Nov. 3.

But last year’s Sunshine Million Turf winner Little Mike, would one-up his fellow Floridian as he capped off his 2012 campaign by winning the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1).

Rewarding Excellence The Stakes Program at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs Keeps Improving Other prominent winners during the Sunshine Millions were Awesome Feather, who kept her career record unblemished to that point by romping home in the Distaff and It’s Me Mom upsetting Florida-bred Horse of the Year and North American champion Musical Romance in the Filly and Mare Sprint.

2013 Florida Sunshine Millions with $1.3 million in purses include:

The event is funded by Gulfstream Park ($600,000), The Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association ($350,000) and the FTBOA ($350,000).

There are an additional 16 stakes at Gulfstream Park that will include $40,000 each supplemented to the purse to promote Florida-bred thoroughbreds and registered Florida stallions. The $40,000 added to the purse of each of these stakes will go to the registered Florida-bred and Florida-sired thoroughbreds that finish in the top three of these races with 70% of the $40,000 going to a Florida-bred winner, 20% to second and 10% to third.

These races include the $100,000 Gulfstream Park Derby, $100,000 Old Hat, $100,000 Spectacular Bid and the $75,000 Ginger Brew Stakes to be run Jan. 1; The$100,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes on Jan. 20, the $400,000 Holy Bull Stakes and $200,000 Forward Gal Stakes on Jan. 26; The $100,000 Sweetest Chant on Jan. 27; the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G2) on Feb. 2, the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) and $250,000 Davona Dale (G2) on Feb. 23, the $150,000 Swale Stakes (G3) and $100,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) on Mar. 2; the $150,000 Palm Beach Stakes (G3) on Mar. 3; and the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) and Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) on Mar. 30.

Gulfstream Park also offers two other stakes that are restricted to Florida-breds in the $100,000 Sunshine State Stakes for 3-year-olds and older on Dec. 2 and the $100,000 Ocala Stakes for fillies and mares on Dec. 30.

Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla., also will feature a number of stakes designed to promote the thoroughbred breeding industry in the state highlighted by the Florida Cup on April 6.

This year the Florida Cup will include:

continued on next spread

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Advertisement

JOE DIORIO PHOTO (TAMPA BAY DOWNS / COGLIANESE PHOTO (GULFSTREAM PARK)

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Florida Cup is funded by Tampa Bay Downs, the FHBPA and the FTBOA who each contribute $150,000 to the popular day’s stakes purses.

There are also several stakes on the Tampa Bay Downs schedule that are open stakes, but registered Florida-breds by registered Florida Stallions will have entry preference and will be eligible to run at additional money provided by the FTBOA. On opening day Dec. 1, the $75,000 Inaugural Stakes and the $75,000 Sandpiper Stakes will each include $25,000 from the FTBOA and the Pasco and Gasparilla Stakes, each worth $100,000, will each include $50,000 from the FTBOA. The FTBOA will also offer $50,000 to supplement the purses of the Grade 3, $250,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes and $150,000 Florida Oaks on Feb. 2 and a $25,000 supplement from the FTBOA is included in the Super Stakes on Jan. 23. On Mar. 9, the $100,000 Suncoast Stakes will include $50,000 from the FTBOA.

FTBOA Racing/Stakes Committee: Brent Fernung, Chair, Phil Matthews, George Russell, Fred Brei, Lonny Powell

TAMPA BAY DOWNS 2012-2013 STAKES SCHEDULE Date Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 8 Dec. 29 Jan. 5 Jan. 12 Jan. 12 Jan. 26 Feb. 2 Feb. 2 Jan. 19 Feb. 9 Feb. 16 Feb. 23 Mar. 2 Mar. 9 Mar. 9 Mar. 9 Mar. 16 Mar. 23 Apr. 6.

Apr. 6 Apr. 6 Apr. 6 Apr. 6

Race Age/Sex Distance/Surface Purse Inaugural Stakes 2yo 6 fur. *$75,000 Sandpiper Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fillies, 2yo . . . . . . . . .6 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .*$75,000 Pelican Stakes 3yo & up 6 fur. $60,000 Minaret Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F&M, 3yo & up . . . . .6 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000 Turf Dash 3yo & up about 5 fur. Turf $75,000 Pasco Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3yo . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .**$100,000 Gasparilla Stakes Fillies, 3yo 7 fur. **$100,000 Lightning City Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F&M, 3yo & up . . . . .about 5 fur. Turf . . . . . . . . .***$75,000 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) 3yo 1 1/16 mi. $250,000 Endeavour Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F&M, 4yo & up . . . . .about 1 1/16 mi. Turf . . . .***$150,000 Florida Oaks Fillies, 3yo about 1/16 mi. Turf $150,000 Manatee Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F&M, 4yo & up . . . . .7 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$50,000 Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) 4yo & up about 1/16 mi. Turf ****$150,000 Super Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4yo & up . . . . . . . . . .7 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75,000 Challenger Stakes 4yo & up 1 1/16 mi. **$60,000 Suncoast Stakes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fillies, 3yo . . . . . . . . .1 mi. 40 yards . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2) 3yo 1 1/8 mi. $350,000 Hillsborough Stakes (G3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F&M, 4yo & up . . . . .about 1 1/8 mi. Turf . . . . . . . .$150,000 Wayward Lass Stakes F&M, 4yo & up 1 1/16 mi. ***$50,000 Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn & Suites Sprint . . 4yo & up . . . . . . . . . .6 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .****$75,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore 3yo 7 fur. ****$75,000 Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies . . . . . Fillies, 3yo . . . . . . . . .7 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .****$75,000 Dayton Andrews Dodge Sophomore Turf 3yo about 1 1/16 mi. Turf ****$75,000 First Dude Distaff Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F&M, 4yo & up . . . . .about 1 1/16 mi. Turf . . . . .****$75,000 Turf Classic 4yo & up about 1 1/16 mi. Turf ****$75,000

*Includes $25,000 from FB/FSP Stakes Fund | **Includes $50,000 from FB/FSP Stakes Fund ***Includes $50,000 from FTBOA Stakes Fund | ****Includes $25,000 from the FTBOA Stakes Fund

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 42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

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

AcceleratedEarningPower_No1_2013_Florida Horse_template 3/15/13 10:52 AM Page 43

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GULFSTREAM PARK 2012-13 STAKES SCHEDULE Date Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 1 Dec. 2 Dec. 8 Dec. 9 Dec. 15 Dec. 16 Dec. 22 Dec. 29 Dec. 30 Jan. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 1 Jan. 5 Jan. 12 Jan. 13 Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Jan. 19 Jan. 20 Jan. 26 Jan. 26 Jan. 27 Feb. 2 Feb. 2 Feb. 9 Feb. 9 Feb. 9 Feb. 9 Feb. 10 Feb. 16 Feb. 16 Feb. 17 Feb. 23 Feb. 23 Feb. 23 Feb. 24 Mar. 2 Mar. 2 Mar. 3 Mar. 9 Mar. 16 Mar. 17 Mar. 23 Mar. 30 Mar. 30 Mar. 30 Mar. 30 Mar. 30 Mar. 30 Mar. 30 Apr. 5

Race Age/Sex Distance/Surface Purse Iron Horse Stakes 3yo & up 1 1/16 mi. $100,000 Express Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Glass Slipper Stakes F&M, 3yo & up 7 fur. $100,000 Rapid Transit Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Tiara Stakes F&M, 3yo & up 1 1/16 mi. Turf $100,000 Emerald Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1/16 mi. Turf . . . . . . . . . . .$125,000 Jewel Stakes 3yo & up 1 1/8 mi. $200,000 Sunshine State Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo & up (Fla) . . . . . . . . .7 fur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$60,000 Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3) F&M, 3yo & up 6 fur. $100,000 South Beach Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 3yo & up . . . . . . . .7 ½ fur. Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Dania Beach Stakes 2yo 1 mi. Turf $100,000 Harlan’s Holiday Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1/16 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 El Prado Stakes 3yo & up 1 mi. Turf $75,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Ocala Stakes F&M, 3yo & up (Fla) 1 mi. $60,000 Gulfstream Park Derby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Old Hat Stakes (G3) Fillies, 3yo 6 fur $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 fur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Ginger Brew Stakes Fillies, 3yo 1 1/16 mi. Turf $60,000 Mashua’s River (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .1 1/16 mi. Turf . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Fort Lauderdale Stakes (G3) 4yo & up 1 1/16 mi. Turf $100,000 Hal’s Hope Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 The Sunshine Millions Classic 4yo & up 1 1/8 mi $400,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .1 1/8 mi . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$300,000 Sunshine Millions Turf 4yo & up 1 1/8 mi. Turf $150,000 Sunshine Millions F&M Turf . . . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .1 1/8 mi. Turf . . . . . . . . . . . .$150,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint 4yo & up 6 fur. $150,000 Sunshine Millions F&M Sprint . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .6 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$150,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes 3yo 1 1/16 mi. Turf $100,000 Holy Bull Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1/16 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$400,000 Forward Gal Stakes (G3) Fillies, 3yo 7 fur. $200,000 Sweetest Chant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Fillies, 3yo . . . . . . . . . . .1 mi. Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Sprint 4yo & up 6 fur. $75,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$150,000 Donn Handicap (G1) 4yo & up 1 1/8 mi. $500,000 Gulfstream Park Turf Handicap (G1) . . . . .4yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1/8 mi. Turf . . . . . . . . . . . .$300,000 Suwanee River Stakes (G3) F&M, 4yo & up 1 1/8 mi. Turf $150,000 Gulfstream Park Sprint (G2) . . . . . . . . . . .4yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$150,000 Hurricane Bertie (G3) F&M, 4yo & up 6 ½ fur. $150,000 The Very One Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .1 3/8 mi. Turf . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) 4yo & up 1 3/8 mi. Turf $150,000 Sabin Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .1 1/16 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Canadian Turf Stakes (G3) 4yo & up 1 mi. Turf $150,000 Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) . . . . . . . . . .3yo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1/16 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$400,000 Davona Dale Stakes (G2) Fillies, 3yo 1 1/16 mi. $250,000 Ladies Turf Sprint Stakes . . . . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .5 fur. Turf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$60,000 Swale Stakes (G3) 3yo 7 fur. $150,000 Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . .Fillies, 3yo . . . . . . . . . . .1 1/8 mi. Turf . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Palm Beach Stakes (G3) 3yo 1 1/8 mi. Turf $150,000 Gulfstream Park Handicap (G2) . . . . . . . . .4yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$300,000 Honey Fox Stakes (G3) F&M, 4yo & up 1 mi. Turf $100,000 Inside Information Stakes (G2) . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .7 fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$150,000 Pan American Stakes (G2) 4yo & up 1 ½ mi. Turf $150,000 Florida Derby (G1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3yo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 1/8 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,000,000 Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2) Fillies, 3yo 1 1/8 mi. $300,000 Skip Away Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 3/16 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$100,000 Appleton Stakes (G3) 4yo & up 1 mi. Turf $100,000 Rampart Stakes (G3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F&M, 4yo & up . . . . . . . .1 1/8 mi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$150,000 Orchid Stakes (G3) F&M, 4yo & up 1 ½ mi. Turf $150,000 Sir Shackleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4yo & up . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 ½ fur. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75,000 GP Aftercare Stallion Stakes 3yo & up 7 ½ fur. $60,000 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 43

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44 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

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NOT

Unnoticed

By REG LANSBERRY urrently in her seventh year as Director of Racing and Racing Secretary at Tampa Bay Downs in Oldsmar, Fla., Allison DeLuca has never been one to seek the spotlight or call attention to herself in any way. While she long ago proved her mettle and executive ability on racing’s frontside as well as on the backside with legions of horsemen during a career of more than three decades in the sport, DeLuca is unquestionably an integral component of Tampa Bay Downs’ management team. Focused mightily on improving its racing prod-

C

been so pleased with Allison and the job she’s done. She is a “greatI have communicator with a wealth of experience who is highly regarded in the industry. Allison has solid relationships with horsemen both here and in Kentucky which is a great asset. —Peter Berube, Tampa’s vice president and general manager

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”

uct year-in and year-out, Tampa’s successes have not gone unnoticed by either its loyal customers or the racing industry.

The jewel in Tampa’s crown is the $350,000 Tampa Bay Derby (G2), contested on March 9. The race has produced its share of high-class runners over the past decade who have competed in the Triple Crown series, most prominently 2007 Tampa Bay Derby winner Street Sense who went on to record a popular victory in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at Churchill Downs.

“I have been so pleased with Allison and the job she’s done,” said Peter Berube, Tampa’s vice president and general manager. “She is a great communicator with a wealth of experience who is highly regarded in the industry. Allison has solid relationships with horsemen both here and in Kentucky which is a great asset.”

As is incumbent upon any racing secretary, DeLuca must know intimately the quality of horses stabled on the grounds and their trainers. During Tampa’s 2012THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 45

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AllisonDeLuca 2013 stand, which is scheduled to comprise 91 racing days and conclude on Sunday, May 5, DeLuca’s primary responsibility is to write the condition book. “The book” not only shapes a racetrack’s product both on-track and off-track for simulcast wagering purposes, but each one becomes, by definition, very much a “work of art” in itself.

Using Tampa’s purse allotment for the meeting as her starting point, DeLuca will write six condition books --comprising no less than 13 racing days each-so that each race, and each day’s racing card, will attract as many entries as possible to give bettors and handicappers a competitive field replete with plenty of wagering options.

Berube said approximately 95 percent of Tampa’s average daily all-sources wagering handle of $4 million during the meeting occurs off-track. (Tampa Bay Downs remains open for simulcast wagering year-round.) Thus the reason it is so critical for the track to offer the best wagering product possible and thereby entice maximum interest, and wagering dollars, from far and wide in what is a tremendously competitive simulcast landscape.

“Writing a condition book is like homework that never leaves you,” DeLuca said.

“Just when you have finished writing one (book) you are always conscious of having to get to work on the next one . . . and then the next.”

Once a condition book is published, of course, it is seized upon by trainers trying to find the easiest spot (race) possible where they can place their horses. DeLuca’s challenge is to write races that will generate a maximum number of entries. “Bettors want big fields,” she said.

DeLuca’s ability and wealth of experience is the result of benefiting from the executives she has worked for, the situations she has been thrust into and learned from, and her skill at being firm yet diplomatic when the 46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

situation demands it. The trick is to try and make what is typically a very demanding and stressful job appear to be “all in a day’s work.”

Which is far easier said than done, of course.

While a career in racing was never an ultimate goal when DeLuca was growing up, the regard in which she is held by her peers, and by horsemen, is a clear testament to her racing knowledge, executive abilities, and common sense. Important attributes all.

In keeping with her personality, DeLuca much prefers talking about her colleagues or the horsemen and horses on the backside than about her-

Jeanine Sahadi

self. It requires definite prompting, in fact, before DeLuca will acknowledge she indeed made racing history in 1987 by becoming the first woman to be named racing secretary at a “recognized” racetrack, the now-defunct Sportsman’s Park in Cicero, Illinois.

In the quarter century since then, other talented women have made racing history in their own inimitable way, of course. A brief list of notable “firsts” must include Jeanine Sahadi tightening the girth on The Deputy (IRE) prior to his triumph in the 2000 Santa Anita Derby (G1), making her the first woman to train the winner of that historic race; Racing Hall of Fame rider Julie Krone becoming the first woman to win a Triple Crown race, the 1993 Belmont Stakes (G1) aboard Colonial Affair,

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ing privileges while also riding at another sta- about it. She took the RTIP’s five courses – ble. During that same period she additionally there were only five at the time-- which performed chores as a groom. DeLuca’s seemed a logical progression given that she “racetrack gene” can be traced to her New always loved horses.

Her full-fledged racing career was launched York grandparents who attended the races frein earnest in 1980 when she took a job at Sportsquently and watched them on television.

When her family moved to Arizona, man’s Park as clerk of the course. The only DeLuca’s mother boarded horses at a small fa- woman in the racing office, she put aside the cility while her daughter continued to ride. frustrations of trying to work her way up the ladder in a male- domMatriculating at the inated sport by focusUniversity of Aria zona where she studgreat job opportunity is typically ing on her current job, and learning as much ied political science, one not actively sought, that deDeLuca gravitated to about the others as the esteemed Race scribes how DeLuca wound up in possible. “I would just Tampa. Not in search of another set little goals for myTrack Industry Program after reading job at the time, someone recom- self,” she said. “If I mended her to management as its could just be the paddock judge, for examnext racing secretary. She came to ple, that would be Florida, interviewed for the posi- okay. And then I would focus on the tion, and the rest is history. next job.”

Having been bypassed for promotions too frequently for her liking, DeLuca finally went to her boss, Tommy Scott, and told him firmly that if she did not receive the next one she would leave. When the next promotion presented itself, she got it.

Upon Scott eventually making it known he planned to retire, it was Sportsman’s Park owner Charles W. “Stormy” Bidwell Jr., who made history by naming DeLuca the track’s racing secretary.

Candid as she assesses that period given the benefit of hindsight, DeLuca admits to being frequently outspoken –chalk it up to the exuberance of youth— and quick to fight every battle. Which, truth be told, is not necessarily the best way to get anywhere.

“I might not have been ready for it but I was smart enough to put in place my –racing office—crew that was really smart,” DeLuca said. “We worked well together. We were all young and all trying to do something. It felt like a cause.”

Among those DeLuca recruited to the racing office were Joe Lindeman and Steve Kasperski, each of whom would eventually become her assistant. Kasperski, now retired, eventually became the racing secretary at Penn National Race Course while Lindeman is at

“For those who believe

”

COOLEY PHOTO

and a Breeders’ Cup race, the 2003 Juvenile Fillies (G1) on Halfbridled at Santa Anita (Krone also won her first career race as an apprentice at Tampa Bay Downs in 1981); Linda Rice securing the 2009 Saratoga training title, the first woman to accomplish that feat at the iconic Spa; and last May, emerging star Rosie Napravnik becoming the first woman to win the Kentucky Oaks (G1) in its 138-year history by virtue of what has become her trademark: a strong stretch-running finish aboard the supremely talented filly Believe You Can. DeLuca’s interest in horses began at an early age when she took riding lessons in New York. Although her family moved frequently, while living in Portugal at age eleven she worked at one stable in exchange for rid-

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 47

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2001 when handicap races were far more of a racetrack staple than they are today. During that period DeLuca worked under the late racpresent a state racing steward in Illinois. ing secretary Jerry Botts, who she called “a DeLuca’s stakes coordinator, Chris Polzin, is great handicapper.”

For those who believe a great job oppornow the racing secretary at Arlington Park near tunity is typically one not actively sought, that Chicago.

“Sportsman’s was a bullring, a five- describes how DeLuca wound up in Tampa. eighths mile track. So it was not always easy Not in search of another job at the time, to get the best horses to run there but we did,” someone recommended her to management she said. “We tried to get graded stakes races as its next racing secretary. She came to Florida, interviewed for the position, and the there, too, and we did that.”

The typical life of a racing official has pre- rest is history.

DeLuca praised Tampa’s deep and safe dirt cious little downtime, much less days off.

DeLuca credits John Morrissey, now a steward surface and its excellent turf course as two key at Tampa, for teaching her (when she used to “selling points” she uses to recruit owners and trainers. “Our main work for him) that racing course and turf officials could be rotated course are among the to give someone a badly best anywhere,” she needed morning or aftersays. “And horses noon off. The residual Average Starters Per Race benefit, of course, is now Year Dirt Turf Overall called “cross-training”; 2009-2010 8.83 9.37 8.95 one learns how to do 2010-2011 9.00 9.43 9.11 other jobs in an office 2011-2012 8.26 9.29 8.54 and thus expand one’s Source: Tampa Bay Downs knowledge base while gaining an appreciation for what colleagues accomplish every day.

Although Bidwell was to fire her after five years, which, “I did not take well at all. It took me two years to get over it,” DeLuca will tell anyone that, by definition, being a racing secretary is “a job where you get fired a lot.”

That memory aside, DeLuca has no trouble remembering a phone call from Bidwell in June 1988, after she assigned the estimable handicap runner Lost Code, then age 4, 129 lbs. –the most weight the son of Codex would ever carry-- for the $209,400 National Jockey Club Handicap Stakes (G3). Bidwell was concerned that Lost Code’s trainer, Bill Donovan, would refuse the impost and decline to run.

But DeLuca’s weight assignment remained intact and Donovan indeed sent Lost Code postward on Saturday, June 11. The result was a dominant 3½-length victory in a snappy 1:49.60 for nine furlongs. DeLuca cites that race with justifiable pride.

She also mentioned the valuable lessons imparted at Churchill Downs from 1989-

AllisonDeluca

Tampa Bay Downs Statistics 2009-2012

48 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

seem to thrive here. There is the sulfur water, room for grazing, and horses are plenty legged up when they leave. Horses that ship-in and race at Tampa go on to win everywhere.”

Among the prominent trainers whose charges have benefited in spades from running over Tampa’s dirt and turf courses are Bill Mott, Graham Motion, Ian Wilkes, Charles Lopresti, Chad Brown, and Christophe Clement.

Just a few of the elite horses who have raced at Tampa Bay Downs in recent seasons are Eclipse Award winners Royal Delta, Zagora, Street Sense, and War Pass. The latter duo were the reigning Eclipse Award two-year-old champions when they competed in the Tampa Bay Derby. Drosselmeyer, winner of the 2010 Belmont Stakes (G1) and Fort Larned, Tampa alumni both, went on to capture consecutive renewals of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) in 2011 and 2012, respectively. Those accom-

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COOLEY PHOTO

plished horses, plus many others, have all added to Tampa’s burgeoning legacy.

It was moments after Falling Sky’s triumph in the $202,500 Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) on February 2, that winning trainer John P. Terranova II said running right back in the Tampa Bay Derby on March 9 was certainly an option, adding, “I love this place.”

The Sam F. Davis was one of three graded stakes races on the card, another “first” in track history. On what was billed as Festival Preview Day, all-sources wagering handle eclipsed $7.8 million, another record.

Tampa’s 2013 meeting is also historic because for the first time the track is offering six graded stakes races, a tribute to owner Stella F. Thayer and her staff’s dedication to improving its product year after year. Two other races, the $75,000 Turf Dash and $75,000 Lightning City Stakes were listed stakes. Should one or both races be designated as an “open stakes”

Julie Krone aboard Colonial Affair

for the 2013-2014 meeting, meaning the race would be contested under the same unrestricted conditions for everyone, it would then be eligible to receive a grade from the American Graded Stakes Committee. Tampa could well make more history next year.

“Both races are certainly candidates,” Berube said. “The committee will look at them and rank them when they begin their evaluation.”

It is well known that all segments of the racing industry have been buffeted by the Great Recession of recent years. An industry-wide contraction that has resulted in a reduced foal crop, dramatically lower prices for racing and breeding stock at sales, and declining numbers of new and prior owners, plus a shortage –certain to become more severe—of racehorses in training, have combined to intensify yearround recruiting efforts to bring ownerstrainers-horses to Tampa. Another factor is nearby in south Florida where ever-present competition for horses and gambling dollars can be found at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, and Calder Casino and Race Course in Miami.

Nevertheless, Tampa’s racing program has fared well over the previous few years if starters per race –both dirt and turf—are any indication. (table at left) DeLuca feels she holds a winning hand considering how immersed in the sport track

management is – and how consistently positive and upbeat they are about racing. Thayer, who has been involved in racing for more than three decades, is not only a longtime racehorse owner in her own right (the fouryear-old filly Better Than Safe, trained by Leigh Delacour, won an $8,000 claiming sprint at Tampa on February 15 for Thayer and Little Everglades Ranch), she is also a member of the board of stewards of The Jockey Club and president of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in Saratoga Springs, New York.

“Mrs. Thayer loves racing as does Peter (Berube). He’s a big racing fan, too,” DeLuca said. “It’s great to be at a racetrack where they love racing, and know about it.

Margo Flynn (vice president of marketing

“The Allison DeLuca File” Name: Birthdate: Birthplace: Residence:

Allison DeLuca September 9, 1956 Bronxville, New York Louisville, Kentucky; Oldsmar, Florida Racing venues Arlington Park, Atlantic City, worked: Balmoral Park, Canterbury Park, Churchill Downs, Ellis Park, Hawthorne Park, Keeneland, Kentucky Downs, Keystone Park, Northumberland Fair, Rillito Downs, Sportsman’s Park, Tampa Bay Downs, Santa Anita Park Family: Son, Henry Montgomery THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 49

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Linda Rice

and publicity) used to be a trainer herself which also helps to cultivate relationships.”

Whereas four years ago Tampa’s 1,380 stalls were full, with a waiting list, during the current meeting DeLuca said there are approximately 100 stalls available. She attributes that to owners stabling at Tampa who have come in “maybe one or two horses light” compared to years past. Given the cost of keeping a horse in training, plus higher purses at northern tracks who benefit from alternative gaming revenue supplements, and the reluctance of owners to pay the costs associated with shipping, stabling and training their horses to race in Florida during the winter months is understandable.

As a result, DeLuca now writes fewer types of races. “When you have fewer horses, you have to give them (trainers) fewer options,” she said. “You have to try to bring horses together and limit the different spots (racing levels) that trainers can choose from.”

DeLuca said the $6,250 purse level offerings have filled better this year, while Tampa’s

CINDY MIKELL PHOTO

AllisonDeluca

and his supremely talented colt, Secret Romeo.

Currently in the top five in Tampa’s trainer’s standings with 15 wins and 48 percent in-the-money finishes, Bennett has been a stalwart supporter at the entry box over the years and knows well how difficult DeLuca’s job can be. “It is hard to please everybody all the time but Allison does a good job. What she does is not easy,” Bennett said. “Tampa’s track is a good surface and running there has always been good to us. There is a nice variety of races and when I leave there I know my horses are fit and ready to run anywhere.”

Although the racetrack life may seem colorful, exciting, and perhaps even glamorous to some, it is belied by the long hours the sport entails. Much less the myriad demands from all sides -- owners, trainers and anyone else who needs something. Often instantly.

If anyone can appreciate and relate to the constant demands DeLuca juggles daily, it is Georganne Hale. Named racing secretary for the Maryland Jockey Club in 2000, the popular and universally-respected Hale’s first job was assistant racehorse identifier in 1984 at

allowance-optional claiming races always do well at the entry box. That is important because the track relies heavily on ship-ins. “We have two receiving barns run by our stall man, Joe Waunsch. He does a super job taking care Being a racing secretary means having to of horses that ship-in put up with so many personalities. It can be which is tremendously important.” (Waunsch such a long day. But as far as I am concerned, no aspect of the job is beyond a woman. carved his own niche in track history during —Georganne Hale, Racing Secretary for the maryland Jockey Club the 1989-1990 meetPimlico Race Course. The following year, she ing as Leading Trainer with 33 victories.)

The need for cooperation among all rac- was named racing secretary for the 1985 Tiing industry stakeholders has never been monium (Maryland) Fair meeting.

“Years ago females on the backside were more important as competition for the gambling and leisure dollar is fiercer than ever. a no-no,” Hale said. “People thought it was At any racetrack, everyone has a job to do too rough for a woman to work back there. and differences of opinion between the I did every job in the racing office from the frontside and backside are not uncommon. bottom up, and I was fortunate. I was never Consequently, any trainer who supports the overlooked, never bypassed.

“Being a racing secretary means having racing office at the entry box will always be to put up with so many personalities. It can appreciated.

Veteran conditioner Gerald Bennett, who be such a long day. But as far as I am contied with Jamie Ness as Leading Trainer at cerned, no aspect of the job is beyond a Tampa during the 2010-2011 meeting with 61 woman,” she said.

While it is obvious DeLuca loves her job, wins, has been stabling and running at Tampa for more than two decades. Over the past quar- and is good at it, she will tell anyone within ter century, in fact, Bennett said the only year earshot she is in an enviable position. “Horses he was absent was in 1986 when he raced at come here to run – and they do run,” she said.

Oaklawn Park. That was a big year for Bennett “In that respect, we are very fortunate.” ■

“

PALMER PHOTO

”

50 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

Rosie Napravnik

AHP.Gen.Excellence.2012Bleed_Layout 1 3/15/13 11:10 AM Page 1

(ex•cel•lence) noun

the fact or state of excelling; superiority; distinction; possessing good qualities in high degree.

For the sixth consecutive year,

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

Publisher: Florida Equine Publications • Editor in chief: Brock Sheridan Business manager: Patrick Vinzant • Art director: John Filer Administrative assistant: Beverly Kalberkamp

CommaToTop_Florida Horse_template 3/14/13 2:53 PM Page 52

Gutsy Comma to the Top refuses to yield in Grade 3 Tom Fool Handicap

By DECLAN DOYLE

F

52 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

lorida-bred Comma to the Top could have finished second or third in the Grade 3, $200,000 Tom Fool Handicap on Mar. 2 at Aqueduct and nobody would have faulted his effort. At the sixteenth-pole, in the six-furlong event for 3-year-olds and up, that is what it looked like was about to happen until the gutsy son of Bwana Charlie dug down in the shadow of the wire to grab it all.

Comma to the Top had shipped across the country after a third place finish in the previous week’s Grade 2 San Carlos Stakes at Santa Anita, making his second start in the span of a week. Some questioned the wisdom

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COGLIANESE PHOTOS

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 53

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Gutsy Fool

of the quick turnaround. They obviously didn’t account for the 5-year-old gelding’s toughness.

Breaking from post position two, Comma to the Top immediately jumped to the head of affairs under jockey Joel Rosario and led by 1½ lengths over Head Heart Hoof through an opening quarter-mile in 22.92 seconds. Under unrelenting pressure and a half in :46.29, the finish line seemed a long way away as Saturday’s Charm took the lead in the stretch and Head Heart Hoof also got in front of Comma to the Top to assume second.

Comma to the Top refused to throw in the towel and somehow found the strength to make one last lunge to regain the lead in the final strides to beat Saturday’s Charm by a nose.

However, Comma to the Top refused to throw in the towel and somehow found the strength to make one last lunge to regain the lead in the final strides to beat Saturday’s Charm by a nose. Head Heart Hoof was a length behind in third and a neck in front of fourth-place finisher Consortium. The Florida-bred gelding stopped the clock in 1:10.26.

Joel Rosario was aware he was astride something special as he commented afterwards. “He tries hard, this horse. To come in here and show up like that, he’s some-

54 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

thing special. He hung on there and kept going. I didn’t know whether I had won, it was tough. I’m glad for the horse. He won.”

Trainer Peter Miller, who took a chance by shipping and running so soon after the San Carlos was feeling vindicated. “We put ourselves out there and a lot of people were second guessing the decision [to run back in a week], but I live with the horse seven days a week and know the horse,” said Miller.

The 2-1 favorite in the field of 10, Comma to the Top returned $6.30 for a $2 wager while carrying the colors of Gary Barber.

Comma to the Top won the 2010, 11⁄16-mile CashCall Futurity (G1) at Hollywood Park as a 2-year-old, but his current campaign has focused on sprints. He entered the Tom Fool off three sprint starts at Santa Anita: a victory in an off-the-turf edition of the Grade 3 Daytona on Dec. 29, a fourth in the Grade 2 Palos Verdes on Jan. 19, and a third in last week’s Grade 2 San Carlos.

Comma to the Top was bred in the Sunshine State by Richard and Linda Thompson. He was delivered at their Oak Vale Farm in Morriston by the Stormy Atlantic mare Maggies Storm. Comma to the Top earned $120,000 for his Tom Fool victory. He is 12-2-2 in 28 starts and has earned $1,180,696. ■

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OBS_Champions_Florida Horse_template 3/14/13 2:56 PM Page 56

OBS Champ

By BROCK SHERIDAN Although Michael With Us had won a or the second consecutive year a maiden stake in his first try, the effort came as no surwon the $100,000 OBS Championship prise to trainer Stephen DiMauro and owner Stakes during the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Rob Levinsky’s Kenwood Racing LLC. “Last fall we thought he was the kind of Company Day of Champions run at the Ocala horse that needed to go long,” DiMauro Training Center Monday.

Last year it was Crafty Unicorn winning said. “So we gave him a break over the winthe 11⁄16 mile race over the Safetrack surface ter. I wanted to get a race into him [at Tampa as a first time starter. This year Michael With Bay Downs on Feb. 17] and we were very Us came into the Championship winless in happy with the effort [finishing second four previous tries but having never run a bad against maiden special weight company.] I race, finishing second twice and third twice. didn’t assume he would win this race, but With Hall of Fame jockey Edgar Prado last year [the OBS Championship for colts aboard, Michael With Us broke well from and geldings] was won by a maiden. I post four and settled nicely in fourth position thought I had a chance to take a shot at a early behind pacesetters Hesa Big Dude and race worth $100,000. He’s never run a poor Rico Suave, who went the first quarter mile in race. I just kind of wanted to let him run and :24 3/5 while racing in tandem. Down the let him develop and hope for the best. You backstretch Rico Suave was given free reign couldn’t get any better than this.”

Levinsky, of Asbury Park, N.J., on the by jockey Ron Allen Jr. and had more than two lengths on the field after a half-mile in other hand, sounded much more calculated.

“It wasn’t like we were here just taking :48 flat with Hesa Big Dude second, Brown Almighty in third and Michael With Us still I just kind of wanted fourth. Midway on turn, to let him run and let him develop and hope for the best.

Prado began to urge Michael With Us and by You couldn’t get any better than this. —trainer Stephen DiMauro the time they turned for home, the 3-year-old colt was moving three- a shot. We planned this out in October wide and joined Brazilian Court and Brown about what to do with [Michael With Us].

We knew he was a talented horse. We knew Almighty on the lead.

Down the stretch, Brazilian Court held a he wanted to go long. The Tampa Bay race short lead into the final furlong but Michael was just a race we wanted to get into him.

With Us was gaining with every stride. It was a sprint and he was [11th early in the Michael With Us eventually hit the wire first, race] and he got up to be second. So we time of 1:093⁄5 and winning for the fourth time a half-length in front of Brazilian Court, who thought he had a good shot here. He just in five career starts. was more than four lengths ahead of Brown had to do it.”

Ridden by jockey Scott Spieth from post Things got off to a fast start at the Ocala five, the Florida-bred Cor Cor broke like a Almighty in third.

The final time was 1:45 over the synthetic Training Center when Cor Cor won the bullet and quickly had two lengths on the field $50,000 OBS Sprint Stakes in a track record of eight 3-year-old fillies. Running through track listed as fast.

F

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

“He’s never run a poor race. ”

56 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

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fractions of :221⁄5, :442⁄5 and :563⁄5, the daughter of Smoke Glacken and the Capote mare Babe’s Flair led every step of the way to eventually win by more than four lengths.

Joan Scott trained Cor Cor for owners Steve Ballou and Harriet Waldon. She was bred in

Florida by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck at their Summerfield Farm in Morriston.

Great storylines continued in the second race of the day when jockey Gary Boulanger brought Conquestor from 14 lengths off the pace to take the $50,000 colt

and gelding division of the OBS Sprint.

It was the first time Boulanger had been in the winners’ circle in more than eight years, having retired following what appeared to be at the time, a career ending and life-threatening injury. A leading rider at Calder Race Course in 1994 and 1995, Boulanger was seriously injured in a 2005 racing accident at Gulfstream Park in which he suffered broken ribs, a ruptured spleen, a detached tendon in his left elbow and later had to have a blood clot removed from his brain.

He returned to riding earlier this year at Tampa Bay Downs, riding a horse he had trained, but gave up his trainer’s license to begin riding full time again.

“What a great feeling,” Boulanger said after the race. “It’s been eight years and a month and-a-half since my last win.

“I didn’t know [Conquestor] was that good to be honest. He was just loping along early but at the three-eighths pole he just got underneath me and I said ‘wow!’ He really started moving and all I had to do was maneuver through traffic.”

Conquestor is trained by Mark Casse for owner John Oxley and it was also the first win for the 3-year-old colt.

In the $100,000 OBS Championship for fillies and mares, Casse ran one-two with Spring in the Air and Spring Venture. Spring Venture was winning for the fourth time in six tries including a win in the Grade 2 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine Race Course near Toronto in September. Spring in the Air, a Grade 1 stakes winner herself having taken the Alicibiades Stakes at Keeneland in October, was also second to Spring Venture in the Natalma. ■ THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 57

AroundCountry_USE_Layout 1 3/14/13 2:57 PM Page 58

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

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—STAKES RACES Win/Place/Show Horse Name Clawback Distinctiv Passion Golden Mystery Regalo Mia Successful Song Off the Jak Teaks North Ron the Greek Sahara Sky Jeranimo Tiz Gianni Coil Great Attack Merit Man Hardrock Eleven Heir Kitty Trippin'' Along Bambazonki Emma''s Encore Hooh Why Speak Easy Gal Bahamian Squall Doubles Partner Cash Rules Wildcat Moon Den''s Legacy Silver Cloud City of Weston Cor Cor Sr. Quisqueyano Bim Bam Canuletmedowne Rubysandpearls Hurricane Ike R Holiday Mood Romacaca My Pal Chrisy Little Drama Shkspeare Shaliy Fort Loudon Chosen Miracle Hold On Smokey Singlet

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

3 3 7 4 6 5 6 6 5 7 5 5 6 3 3 3 4 3 4 7 7 4 6 6 3 3 5 3 3 3 6 4 3 6 5 7 5 5 4 4 5 8 4

Put It Back With Distinction Awesome Again Sligo Bay (IRE) Successful Appe With Distinction Northern Afleet Full Mandate Pleasant Tap Congaree Giacomo Point Given Greatness With Distinction Rock Hard Ten Wildcat Heir Trippi Hard Spun Congrats Cloud Hopping West Acre Gone West Rock Hard Ten Peace Rules D'wildcat Medaglia d'Oro Rahy Holy Bull Smoke Glacken Exclusive Qualit Deputy Wild Cat With Distinction Pomeroy Graeme Hall Trippi Running Stag Alex's Pal Burning Roma Shakespeare Awesome of Cou Ghostzapper Concorde's Tune Real Quiet

Breeder

Cloudrunner Dance Forthe Gr Mysterious Ange Shake It Up Song for Annie Quiet Lake Teaksberry Road Flambe' Seeking the Sky Jera Tizprecious Eversmile Cat Attack Precise Strike Stark Beauty Be Silver Susie Smile Clafoutis French Opera Magic Merger Spoken For Midway Squall Serena's Sister Cindys Sonnet Moonshine Girl Sunshine Song Silver Clipper How About Dattt Babe's Flair Royal Navy Laurel Light Mismatch Think I Luv You Parental Uproar Polish Holiday Romaca Strike South Riveting Drama Tricky Mistress Lottsa Talc Royally Chosen Lady Lisa Taylor's Choice

Loren Nichols Harold J. Plumley Adena Springs Juvenal Diaz Live Oak Stud Big C Farm Brylynn Farm Inc. Jack T. Hammer Martin Stables Inc. Brylynn Farm Inc. Adena Springs Glen Hill Farm Edward Seltzer & Murray Durst Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds & Stephen Farm III Enterprises & Off The Hook Partners Pedro Gonzalez & Jorge Herrera Adam J. Parker & Suzette Parker Bridlewood Farm Equest Thoroughbreds Inc. Gail Gee William F. Murphy & Annabel Murphy Donald R. Dizney Arthur I. Appleton Larry Fugate Marshall Novak & Suzanne Nov Silver Oaks Farm Gaye Swartz Alfonso N. Figliolia Haras Gran Derby A. Francis Vanlangendonck & Barbara Vanlan Do-Little Farm LLC J D Farms Alan Parker & Janet W. Hoke DVM David Cassidy Stanley Boileau E. Paul Robsham Stable LLC Cashel Stud Inc. Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc Harold L. Queen Guilherme Bombonato & Angela Bombonato Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Adena Springs Great Luck Farm McKathan Bros.

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTOS

Sahara Sky/Palos Verdes S.

Dam

58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

Jeranimo/San Gabriel S.

Date 1/21/13 1/21/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/13/13 1/12/13 1/5/13 1/5/13 1/1/13 1/26/13 1/26/13 1/26/13 1/20/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/12/13 1/5/13 1/5/13 1/1/13 1/1/13 1/1/13 1/26/13 1/26/13 1/21/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/13/13 1/5/13 1/1/13

Track Off Race ID Pos Name AQU SA GP GP GP GP GP GP SA SA TUP SA TAM GP HOU SA TAM GP GP GP GP GP GP GP GG SA TAM GP GP GP FG HOU AQU FG GP GP GP GP GP GP SA TAM AQU

1 1 1 1 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 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Jimmy Winkfield S. $73,500 San Pedro S. $75,460 FL Snshne Mill Filly and Mar $150,000 FL Snshne Mill Filly and Mar $150,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff S. $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint S. $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf S. $150,000 FL Snshne Mill Classic S. $400,000 Palos Verdes S. 2/$150,500 San Gabriel S. 2/$150,500 Cotton Fitzsimmons Mile H. $75,000 San Pasqual S. 2/$150,250 Turf Dash S. $75,000 Spectacular Bid S. $140,000 Allen's Landing S. $50,000 Santa Ysabel S. 3/$100,000 Lightning City S. $75,000 Kitten's Joy S. $100,000 FL Snshne Mill Filly and Mar $150,000 FL Snshne Mill Filly and Mar $150,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff S. $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint S. $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf S. $150,000 FL Snshne Mill Classic S. $400,000 California Derby $100,000 Sham S. 3/$100,000 Turf Dash S. $75,000 Spectacular Bid S. $140,000 Old Hat S. 3/$98,000 Gulfstream Park Derby $100,000 Col. E.R. Bradley H. 3/$125,000 Champion Energy Srvcs S. $75,000 Jimmy Winkfield S. $73,500 Louisiana H. $99,000 FL Snshne Mill Filly and Mar $150,000 FL Snshne Mill Filly and Mar $150,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff S. $300,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint S. $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf S. $150,000 FL Snshne Mill Classic S. $400,000 San Gabriel S. 3/$150,500 Turf Dash S. $75,000 Interborough S. $73,500

$45,000 $46,200 $90,000 $90,000 $180,000 $90,000 $90,000 $240,000 $90,000 $90,000 $44,175 $90,000 $45,000 $100,000 $10,000 $20,000 $15,000 $20,000 $30,000 $30,000 $60,000 $30,000 $30,000 $80,000 $20,000 $20,000 $15,000 $20,000 $20,000 $20,000 $12,500 $8,250 $7,500 $10,000 $15,000 $15,000 $30,000 $15,000 $15,000 $40,000 $18,000 $7,500 $7,500

Coil/San Pasqual S.

AroundCountry_USE_Layout 1 3/14/13 2:57 PM Page 59

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—ALLOWANCE Win/Place/Show—continued Horse Name Park Rules Battier Jossy Do It Believe in You Charli Sunshine Alley Oop Oop Armed Intelligenc Inaugurate Rhythm in May Milwaukee Mixer Double Ours Coach A. J. El Suri Whining Mambo Flyer Shotinthefog Mountain Thunde Recharged Heir Gone Wild Espresso Royale Starship Serena Charli Sunshine Milenario Park Rules El Valenciano Egg Drop Mayville Rapacious On Time Again Scenario Analysis Nothing But Fire Sweet Moonbeam Royal Repast Patriotic Dream On Time Again Collymore Place Triple Great Jessie''s Boy

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

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

Peace Rules Tale of the Cat Proud Accolade Congrats Bwana Charlie Monsieur Cat Include Empire Maker Sarava Milwaukee Brew Half Ours Tale of the Cat Spanish Steps Simon Pure Black Mambo Saint Anddan Skip to the Stone Macho Uno Wildcat Heir Macho Uno Put It Back Bwana Charlie Cowtown Cat Peace Rules Trippi Alphabet Soup Straight Man Street Sense Holy Bull Exchange Rate Lexicon Bring the Heat Chapel Royal Patriot Act Holy Bull Graeme Hall Greatness West Acre

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track ID

Off Pos

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Chelsea Park Whobabydatiz Clandestine Sister Greeley Sunshine Stormy Nizy's Lizzie Vines of Justice Top Mambo Bodyguard Cocktailsandrea Double Bling Bandera Negra Victoria's Weddi Sweeping Showe Forbidden Image Brewmatic Funder Powers Petite Deputy Grisham Star Mountain Serene Lake Sunshine Stormy Pop I Top Chelsea Park Cutoffs Rehocracy Madame Rouge Hidden Pleasure Speak Your Mind Thimble Island No Prospect My Outlet Feijoada All My Dreams Speak Your Mind Collymore Hall Triple Top Jessica's Way

Vegso Racing Stable Loren Nichols & Dr Joseph Tripi Allen Amato & Mike Galinski Scott Alan Lackey John R Duffey Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Do-Little Farm LLC Glen Hill Farm New Phoenix Racing LLC & Susan Roy Patricia Generazio Oliver B. Brooks Jr. Joseph Barbazon & Helen Y-Lo Racing Stables LLC Martin Stables Inc. Barbara Rehbein Pamela F. Edel Linda Eileen Capozzoli Thorobeam Farm Adena Springs New Farm David J Lavoie Bridlewood Farm John R Duffey Stone Alley Vegso Racing Stable Ocala Stud J. Michael O''Farrell Jr. & Edward Centaur Farms Inc. William C. Schettine Hickstead Farm British Mist Breeding & Racing Sigmund Margulies Larry E. Altman Wesley Ward William P. Sorren Michael Clare British Mist Breeding & Racing Eugene Melnyk Carl Bowling Gilbert G. Campbell

1/30/13 1/28/13 1/27/13 1/23/13 1/21/13 1/19/13 1/14/13 1/13/13 1/8/13 1/30/13 1/28/13 1/28/13 1/18/13 1/15/13 1/14/13 1/14/13 1/12/13 1/12/13 1/8/13 1/6/13 1/4/13 1/4/13 1/3/13 1/2/13 1/1/13 1/27/13 1/26/13 1/25/13 1/23/13 1/20/13 1/19/13 1/17/13 1/14/13 1/12/13 1/7/13 1/6/13 1/5/13 1/2/13

CT PRX HOU CT LRL TAM PRX GP TUP CT HOU PRX CMR SUN CMR PRX BEU TAM CT PRX GP LRL CMR CT CMR SA PRX GP TUP GP CT PEN CMR TAM TUP GP PEN CT

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 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

$28,100 $48,000 $21,000 $28,300 $40,000 $29,100 $47,500 $51,200 $15,700 $28,100 $21,000 $48,000 $10,789 $29,100 $7,830 $47,500 $5,200 $18,100 $26,200 $60,620 $48,300 $40,000 $7,830 $28,400 $7,497 $58,598 $58,280 $44,600 $15,500 $44,600 $27,200 $34,720 $7,830 $18,100 $15,700 $44,600 $35,960 $28,400

$16,800 $28,200 $12,600 $16,800 $22,800 $17,760 $28,200 $33,800 $9,637 $5,600 $4,160 $9,400 $2,295 $6,111 $1,598 $9,400 $1,040 $4,040 $5,200 $9,400 $11,960 $8,400 $1,598 $5,600 $1,530 $6,960 $5,170 $5,450 $1,519 $5,450 $2,700 $3,410 $799 $2,020 $1,554 $5,885 $3,410 $2,800

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT Win/Place/Show Horse Name Explosive Argum Lady Asano Transparent Wide Eyed Wonde Alluring Lady North Pacific Kale''s Kourage It''s Saturday Nite He''s a Cyclone Starship Wildcat Waleska''s Weddi So Honored Anduril Persuasive Paul Galadriel Lady Putitinmypocket Quality Jack China Holiday Run Robby Run Lemon Belle Do You Smell Sm

Sex Age Sire F F C F F C C F G C F G C C F F G C C F G

3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

Closing Argume Teuflesberg Bernardini Tiz Wonderful Indygo Shiner Master Comman Majestic Warrior Put It Back Awesome Again Wildcat Heir Peace Rules Double Honor Aragorn (IRE) Olmodavor Aragorn (IRE) Put It Back Exclusive Qualit Harlan's Holiday Peace Rules Lemon Drop Kid Smoke Glacken

Dam

Breeder

T. N. T. Red Golden Tour Habiboo Holy Manda Queen Kaboom Quelle Surprise Be a Quiet Honey Miz Betty Grace My Typhoon (IRE Hasty Appeal Dancing Code Stony Advantage Wait 'til Midnight Witch of the Air Cozie Advantage Irish Drop Jane Daniels Chinaberry Dazzling Colors Queenie Belle Honora Helen

Alan Parker & Janet W. Hoke DVM Sherry R. Mansfield & Kenneth H. Davis Hardacre Farm LLC LeAnne M. Robbins Gilbert G. Campbell Haras Santa Maria de Araras S.A. B.P.N. Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC Live Oak Stud Luis de Hechavarria Big C Farm Shamrock Thoroughbreds Paul Rothfuss & Barbie Rothfuss William J. Kearns Red Oak Stable Oak Lane Farm Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc Carolyn Wilson Doris Elicker Gary Seidler & Peter Vegso Kerri Szegi

Date

Track ID

Off Pos

Grade/ Value

Earngs

1/27/13 1/27/13 1/26/13 1/24/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/19/13 1/18/13 1/17/13 1/16/13 1/14/13 1/13/13 1/12/13 1/12/13 1/11/13 1/11/13 1/9/13 1/6/13 1/5/13 1/4/13 1/3/13

HOU SA AQU TAM FG GG OP GP GP GP CMR SUN CMR SA LRL TAM CT TAM TP GP GP

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

$19,000 $56,250 $65,000 $19,100 $39,000 $29,206 $53,000 $49,350 $49,350 $49,350 $7,830 $23,300 $7,510 $57,500 $38,000 $19,400 $26,400 $20,000 $15,460 $42,000 $42,000

$11,160 $33,600 $39,000 $12,300 $23,400 $16,200 $31,800 $32,550 $32,550 $32,550 $4,634 $13,980 $4,634 $33,600 $21,660 $12,300 $15,600 $12,300 $8,100 $25,200 $25,200

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 59

und The Country

Florida-Breds Aro

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Florida-Breds Aro

The Country und

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT Win/Place/Show Horse Name In Daniel''s Boots Heart and Pride Pure Loyalty Good to Gold Guard Duty Monaguska Heart and Pride Ocean''s of Mone Lady Dozer Bellamy Storm Imperial Bluegraz Farah With Prejudice Mile High City Atlantic Dream Timeless Indy Beautiful Brandy Distinct Sparkle Copper Bay Take Heed Sweet Mike Dreamlicious Concorde West Lori''s Store Odlum Big Foot Ben Falsely Alarmed Roccamo Burning Truth Miss Derek Tizrobertcharles

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

5 3 3 3 4 4 3 3 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 3 4 5 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 3 3 3

Double Honor Western Pride Simon Pure Pomeroy Straight Man Yonaguska Western Pride Indian Ocean Trippi Bellamy Road Imperialism Imperialism With Distinction High Cotton Stormy Atlantic A.P. Indy Gulf Storm With Distinction Sligo Bay (IRE) Alke Sweet Return (G Ecclesiastic Concorde's Tune El Prado (IRE) Concerto Got the Last Lau Put It Back Blowing Rock Burning Roma Brother Derek Bwana Charlie

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

Dam

Breeder

Naturally Clever Heart of a Fighte Bourbon Night Free Skate Don't Dare Me Monaroll Heart of a Fighte Peggy's Lady Willa Cather Relentless Storm Buffy Bluegrazz Flipaway Successful Verdi Fun City Lady Frosty Promise Border Dispute Shezafire Constant Sparkle Ms Royal Swain Ga Ga's Choice Thunderous Wav Gratorious Delta Silks Big Promise Bells of Shandon Enchanted Wood Exaggerate Miss Lilly Copela Truth Or Dehere Quick Text Tiz Gold

Pink Diamond Stable Kathy Machesky Jacqueline Fleck Emerald Pastures Corp. Inc. Mr. & Mrs. James Irlin Spicknall A. Delaperriere Stables LLC Kathy Machesky Peggy J. Follin Judi Hicklin Kinsman Farm Jack Treadway Belinda M. Kitos & Dr. Robert J. Kitos Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds LLC Harold J. Plumley Bridlewood Farm Besilu Stables LLC Marie Bates Betty King Adena Springs Virginia L. Rice & Victoria Walther Michael P. Cristello Hidden Point Farm Inc. Ocala Stud Glen Hill Farm Irish Acres Farm Zayat Stables LLC Chad Stewart & Laurie Stewart Jonathan S Stodghill University of Florida Foundation Scott Lanier Howard Tesher

Date

Track ID

Off Pos

Grade/ Value

Earngs

1/2/13 1/30/13 1/27/13 1/25/13 1/25/13 1/24/13 1/16/13 1/13/13 1/9/13 1/6/13 1/6/13 1/5/13 1/4/13 1/3/13 1/1/13 1/26/13 1/21/13 1/21/13 1/21/13 1/16/13 1/12/13 1/11/13 1/11/13 1/11/13 1/9/13 1/6/13 1/6/13 1/5/13 1/4/13 1/4/13 1/3/13

TAM GP SA PEN TAM LRL GP SA TAM AQU TAM TAM GP GP GP GP BEU FG SA TAM GP GP OP TAM TAM AQU TAM CT GP SA GP

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

$19,100 $44,100 $56,250 $30,660 $17,600 $37,240 $44,100 $57,500 $17,000 $60,000 $20,000 $17,600 $42,000 $42,000 $44,100 $43,050 $4,500 $39,000 $56,250 $17,000 $42,000 $43,050 $53,000 $19,400 $17,000 $60,000 $20,000 $26,200 $42,000 $56,750 $42,000

$12,300 $10,500 $11,200 $6,000 $4,170 $7,980 $10,500 $11,200 $3,400 $12,000 $4,170 $4,170 $9,240 $8,400 $10,080 $4,830 $450 $4,290 $6,720 $1,700 $3,780 $5,250 $5,300 $2,170 $1,700 $6,000 $2,170 $2,600 $5,040 $6,720 $4,200

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Please identify the breed For example - QUARTER HORSE

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RETURN TO: THE FLORIDA HORSE • 801 SW 60TH AVE., • OCALA, FL 34474 For more information: 352-732-8858 • Fax: 352-629-3603 or 352-867-1979 Attention: Beverly Kalberkamp

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Equine Care

Sobering Statistics Natural Feeding Methods Help Avoid Equine Ulcers

By CYNTHIA MCFARLAND

S

MAKING FORAGE AVAILABLE

Veterinarians and equine nutritionists agree it’s a major mistake not to have forage—pasture, hay, or a combination of the two—available to the horse most of the day. Unfortunately, for great numbers of horses this is reality. Show and racehorses are typically stalled when not being exercised or performing. Many other horses live without access to pasture simply because of climate or stabling options.

CYNTHIA MCFARLAND PHOTOS

tudies have shown that 63% of performance horses and a staggering 93% of racehorses suffer from Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS).

Even young horses in their first few months of life are at risk. Approximately 57% of foals develop stomach ulcers, with the stress of weaning often blamed as a likely cause.

If that’s not alarming enough, 75% of veterinarians questioned in a recent study believe that ulcers are actually under-diagnosed. Because the only definitive way to determine if a horse has stomach ulcers is by veterinary exam via endoscope, horses often go undiagnosed when veterinarians don’t have access to such equipment.

Chronic ulcers may result in weight loss, poor hair coat, and repeated low-grade colic. Before you heave a sigh of relief and think, “Whew, at least my horse isn’t showing those symptoms,” it’s important to realize that signs of ulcers can be subtle.

A horse may have a slight change in attitude, seem “grumpy,” or have decreased performance for no obvious reason. Eating habits may change and he may show a decreased appetite, usually more towards concentrate, than hay. But the fact remains, some horses with ulcers exhibit no clinical signs.

“Things that make horses most at risk for ulcer disease are sporadic feeding with periods of an empty stomach, or irregular feeding with long periods of no intake, high starch diets, exercise at speed, concurrent illness, especially of a gastrointestinal nature, and use of NSAIDS,” notes internal medicine specialist Carol Clark, DVM, Dipl ACVIM, of Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala.

Unlike humans, horses produce and secrete stomach acid aroundthe-clock. This is not a problem when horses graze (or eat hay) most

of the day. However, when the stomach is empty, that acid can eat away at the lining, causing painful gastric ulcers, which can impact both the upper (squamous) and the lower (glandular) parts of the stomach.

“The glandular region has a mucous covering to protect itself from the acid. Acid is the main culprit since 90% of ulcers affect the upper portion of the stomach, where there is no protection from acid,” explains April Knudson, DVM, equine veterinary services manager at Merial.

“Horses are meant to be grazing all day long, so they produce and secrete stomach acid all the time. Having food in the stomach is one of the most protective things you can do,” adds Knudson, noting that ulcers developed in just a few days in studies where food was withheld.

62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

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Horsemen often make forage available to stalled horses by hanging a large hay net. While this will slow consumption because the horse has to pull out each bite, a major disadvantage is that the net must be hung high for safety reasons (to avoid getting a foot or leg hung up), but this means the horse is eating in an unnatural position and continually breathing in particles that can lead to respiratory problems.

Some owners try to solve the forage issue with large hay bales in paddocks/corrals. Drawbacks include a great amount of waste, as well as the concern about hay getting damp and moldy or mildewed. There’s also the concern about parasites and sand colic when horses eat hay off the ground.

When Iowa-based farrier and lifelong horseman Mark Olson considered the pros and cons of feeding forage 24/7, he came up with an

I’ve always fed my horses grass hay 24/7 because I knew it was “ important to have forage available at all times, but there was a great deal of waste. The horses would shovel the hay on the ground and use it for a bed—or worse. —Wylleen May

”

ingenious product that eliminated the negatives associated with other methods, while offering a win-win for both horse and owner.

“I saw how much waste there is with hay. That, combined with the issue of having forage in front of horses all the time, is what drove me to solve the problem,” says Olson, who designed his prototype for The Natural Feeder (www.TheNaturalFeeder.com) in 2009 and put it on the market in 2010.

He invented a convenient feeder made of sturdy low-density polyethylene that won’t chip, break, or shatter in weather extremes and has no sharp edges, bolts or screws on which horses can get hurt. The feeder holds an entire bale of hay while a grate “floats” on top of the bale and lowers as the hay is eaten. The horse eats slowly at a natural level with his head lowered, pulling bites of hay out through the grate’s long oval-shaped openings. Olson designed three sizes of grates (each feeder comes with two), depending on the size of the horse’s muzzle and the type of hay being fed, from fine and leafy to thick and stemmy.

The grate system allows continuous, but restricted, feeding and eliminates horses eating off the ground where they can ingest dirt, sand and debris, which can create inflammation and impaction in the digestive tract.

“It’s a simple idea that works very well,” notes Olson. “It totally eliminates wasted hay while extending the time horses can eat. Horses are very content utilizing the feeder once they figure out they can eat and come back and hay is still available.”

“I’ve always fed my horses grass hay 24/7 because I knew it was important to have forage available at all times, but there was a great deal of waste. The horses would shovel the hay on the ground and use it for a bed—or worse,” says Wylleen May, a television executive in Los Angeles, who has a large breeding herd of Gypsy Vanner horses in the U.S. and in England.

“These feeders have totally eliminated that problem, plus they allow me to replicate a horse being out on pasture because they mimic grazing. They’re also incredibly sturdy; I’m still using The Natural

Feeders I bought three years ago,” adds May, whose SD Farm in Acton, California, has no grass because of its high desert location.

“The horses regulate how much they eat and there’s not the food anxiety or drama I used to have with stalled horses being fed hay twice a day. Another health advantage for people living where sand colic is a concern is that these feeders keep horses from ingesting sand.” ■

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 63

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INDUSTRY UPDATE

Harness Racing Congress Recap

By TAMMY A. GANTT FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—The 6th Harness Racing Congress was held Feb. 28 through March 4 and while the focus was the harness racing industry, many of the sessions were more comprehensive focusing on the horse racing industry in North America and globally. Sessions included social media, globalization, innovation, racing and casinos, medication and legislative topics.

“The Revolution will not be Televised” was led by a group of social media experts who gave examples of how social media has grown into racing’s consciousness and how to continue this growth to develop new fans, realize the sentiment of existing fans and to engage those interested in racing to create action. CEO of Conversion, Rob Key, works with some of the world’s leading brands including Wal-Mart. From a horse racing family, Key stressed listening to what the social

64 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

media response to farms, races, events, the industry or on issues is the most important part of social media. Key stressed that the feedback loop was critical to know if those using social media are on target and reaching the people they want to reach. Using tracking technology, Key said that there were 52 million messages sent about the Super Bowl on the day of the event and the largest for a horse racing event was 200,000 and that was on Kentucky Derby day. He also focused on the horse industry saying 67% of social media conversations were related to thoroughbred racing while harness and Quarter Horse racing made up roughly 16% each.

Thoroughbred racing columnist and writer, Ray Paulick started the Paulick Report online in 2008 and it is now North America’s leading independent thorough-

bred racing website. Paulick pointed out that horsemen groups and breed associations have begun to hire staff that can focus on social media and racetracks have also embraced the technology. For example, track handicappers now send their picks via Twitter feeds so even if horseplayers cannot hear their commentary on air, they still receive it.

Paulick gave examples of sharing good news with “Zenyatta had a foal”, first posted by a 12year-old girl . Then he mentioned bad news – Rachel Alexandra’s complications after foaling and the subsequent updates. He said that sharing good and bad moments and communicating updates to those messages is important to social media users. Also, he said the social media can show racing’s best side without racing doing the PR effort. His example of jockey Joe Talamo taking a pic-

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ture with a young race fan was posted by the child’s father thanking Joe for the moment that thrilled his kid. Later, Talamo wrote back thanking him for coming to Santa Anita Park and that it was good to meet him.

Social media innovator and award winner, Carie Lewis is the lead social media strategist for the nation’s largest animal welfare organization, the Humane Society. Her efforts led to the organization being named the third most successful non-profit on Facebook. She discussed how farms, associations and other industry businesses with websites need to first establish a philosophy that they carry through as they implement their social media policies. For example, does the post move forward the mission of the business, does it provide a forum for feedback and is it engaging and interesting? Goals of her organization included enhanced customer service, building interest in trust of members, a call to action for people to join as members and to establish a positive connection to their brand. Creating

content that is more likely to be shared is the ultimate success for organization’s who post messages on social media, she said.

Lewis also said to be wary and not over-communicate. She found that when she sent out over 2 messages a day to members that she had people un-subscribing from their alerts faster than those who were subscribing.

“The Globalization of Harness Racing” session focused on monetizing and maximizing the racing signal across borders by

prominent harness races in the world – The Hambletonian. He shared handle numbers that showed how popular the event is worldwide. Half of the wagering from The “Hambo” event is from Sweden – more than what is wagered domestically on the event.

The panel on several occasions emphasized that field size is what drives international handle on North American races more than any other factor.

Additional topics included a discussion over the legislative landscape for harness racing in the wake of the industry’s turmoil in Ontario, Canada, and a discussion about how the industry can best address medication issues with speakers from the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), the Association of the Racing Commissioners International, HFL Sport Science (the official lab of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission) and a racing commission investigator. Racetrack officials who also have casinos discussed the promotions and day-to-day operations they do to convert slot players to horseplayers.

Jason Settlemoir (General Manager of The Meadowlands Racetrack), Mark Loewe (Vice President of Ohio Racing operations for Penn National), Kevin Decker (Director of Racing at The Meadows Racetrack and Casino), Stacey Cahill (General Manager of Racing operations at Scioto Downs) and Steve Wolf (former Senior Director of Racing operations at Pompano Park) shared their experience in the opportunities and challenges of growing the racing market from existing gaming customers.

The Congress was hosted by the Harness Tracks of America, Harness Horsemen International, the United States Harness Writers Association and the United States Trotting Association. ■

Track handicappers now send

their picks via Twitter feeds so even if horseplayers cannot hear their commentary on air, they still receive it looking at pitfalls to avoid and how to capitalize on successes. Speakers included former Magna Entertainment Corporation’s John Gallinger who was instrumental in several of the organization’s most innovative and forward thinking projects including enhanced race office operations, horsemen’s applications and services, domestic and international signal distribution, tote services, simulcast wagering product development and customer loyalty programs. Gallinger explained key barriers to exporting and importing global racing signals such as outdated technology between tracks in different countries, tote systems, ITSB barriers and in-adequate video feeds. He was one of the first in the U.S. to bring simulcasting from the Latin American Racing Channel in Argentina, Chile and Peru and he said he worked to make sure past performances were compatible and complete in Equibase and that he had all the ingredients for the right presentation to American customers. Another panelist Tom Charters, president and CEO of the Hambletonian Society, hosts one of the most

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013 65

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INDUSTRY UPDATE The Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association recently conducted their Winter Convention in Clearwater, Fla. on Feb. 20 – 24 and addressed several issues confronting horsemen now and in the future.

By BROCK SHERIDAN and TAMMY A. GANTT CLEARWATER, FLA.—In the “You Make the Call Forum” speakers Eddie Arroyo, senior steward at the Illinois Racing Board, and Cathy O’Meara, coordinator for the Jockey Club Industry Initiatives and Racing Officials Accreditation (ROAP) program, shared programs they are involved in for racing officials. The mission of ROAP is to accredit and provide continuing education to all racing officials, stewards and judges in the horse racing industry. By doing so, ROAP is enhancing the image and upholding the integrity of horse racing at all levels. In addition to certification, each ROAP produces keys points for instruction for continuing education seminars. For 2013, the topics include: Reciprocity: lists and licensees; protocols for declaring a race a no contest; conducting stewards’ meetings with racing officials, track staff and horsemen and protocols for reciprocity of suspensions, summary suspensions and restraining orders.

Chicago Sports Hall of Famer and former jockey, Arroyo is a ROAP board member and certified at Level I Flat Racing as an official, the highest distinction for officials. Arroyo explained the America Racing Commissioners International model rules for racing officials. He said the idea behind the rules is to create a fair chance of winning and a level playing field for all participants. He said there are variations on the model rules from state to state. He explained the role of a racing steward was to watch the race live or on TV as it happened, to post an inquiry or not, to review the race replay, to be in the Paddock pre-race, to speak with jockeys for a statement if an objection was made and to determine the outcome of the race. He said those certified with ROAP learn these procedures and the background that goes with each area.

O’Meara reported that 30 states currently have at least one ROAP official and that covers 99% of all U.S. racetracks and their handle.

At least 3 ROAP officials at tracks oversee 70% of racing days and 75% of the handle. People interested in becoming certified officials

can visit horseracingofficials.com for a list of courses. The next is scheduled at Sunland Park in El Paso, Texas on April 15-16.

The “Trainer Continuing Education Forum” provided an overview of Model Rules for continuing education for trainers and an overview of some of the programs available including the Elite Program, Jockey Club Industry Initiatives and some state HBPA programs.

The Elite Program, a non-profit horsemen's education service, provides high quality equine care courses to grooms, owners, trainers and anyone interested in learning about taking care of a horse. The Elite Program's education programs are rooted in education that is relevant to a person’s day-to-day life, dynamic, engages students in multiple learning methods and is easy to understand. Materials were developed by college professors with more than 60 years combined experience in horses, racing and teaching with contributions from veterinarians, farriers, equine dentists and human health and safety professionals.

Owner Programs focus on horse care and training rather than the "business elements" of owning a racehorse and improves communication with trainers. There are two levels of courses. Owner Elite 101 is a 12 hour short course that is designed to introduce owners to the horse element of ownership so that they are better equipped to talk to their trainers and veterinarians. It also includes rules of racing and test barn procedures and how accidental positives can happen. Owner Elite 201 is an advanced 12 hour short course that goes in-depth into issues that can stop a horse from succeeding.

Other programs are designed to provide knowledge and skills training that will enhance the ability of grooms and other equine care workers to care for their horses. Elite also offer vocational programs that prepare individuals without equine care experience for entry level positions. Certification courses for experienced workers require a demonstration of minimum knowledge on a written assessment and demonstration of minimum skills in five areas during a practical assessment. Non-certification courses provide informa-

National HBPA Winter

Convention 66 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

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tion and hands-on experiences for those seeking to improve their equine care knowledge and skills.

Farms can also work with The Elite Program to host courses onsite which includes classroom work with photo rich handouts and slide shows, and includes unique teaching aids and activities so reading ability is not required. Information can be found online at: groomelite.com.

Also covered in the session was The Jockey Club’s major initiatives that strive to improve the health and safety of Thoroughbreds and riders and includes educational emphasis. These include the Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, that includes implementation strategies to improve conditions in various facets of the Thoroughbred industry with focus on Racing Equipment and Safety; Racetrack Environment and Training Practices; Education, Licensing and Continuing Education; and Transitioning Thoroughbreds to Second Careers.

More information is available at jockeyclub.com/safetyInitiatives.

Among the more informative presentations was the one conducted by Richard Riedel, Executive Director of the Kentucky Health and Welfare Fund; and Peter Ecabert, Legal Counsel for the National HBPA, who spoke on the Horsemen’s Perspective on the National Health Care Reform, also known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) or ObamaCare.

Recap

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INDUSTRY UPDATE

National HBPA Winter Convention continued

Portions of the ACA that went into effect in 2010 include the Small Business Insurance Tax Credits which allow small businesses, including racing stables, to be eligible for tax credits to help them provide insurance benefits for workers; and that the ACA allows states to cover more people on Medicaid, including low-income horsemen.

Reidel also noted that the ACA currently provides access to insurance for uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions who have been uninsured for at least six months because of a pre-existing condition.

The ACA also allows for extended coverage for young adults to age 26, prohibits companies from rescinding coverage and that all new plans must cover certain preventative care services such as mammograms and colonoscopies without charging a deductible, co-pay or co-insurance.

The law also allows consumers with a way to appeal coverage termination or claims and has eliminated lifetime limits on insurance coverage which impacts the chronically ill or injured. The current law allows for prescription drug discounts for seniors until the coverage gap is closed in 2020 and provides additional preventative care for seniors and how these laws impact the benevolence programs conducted by individual HBPA member organizations.

Reidel also said in his presentation that the country remains well divided over the insurance exchange programs provided in the ACA saying that 23 states plus DC have opted to run their own markets while 26 states are defaulting to federal control. One state’s decision is still pending.

Florida is among those states defaulting to federal control. Later, Ecabert said that these exchanges go into effect in October of 2013.

Upcoming dates that Reidel said would be of note include Jan. 1, 2014, when the requirement for all U.S. citizens and legal residents to have insurance or face a small penalty. There are exemptions to this rule including those who have income below the federal poverty level, if the purchase of insurance causes financial hardship, or if a person has religious objections is an illegal resident or native American.

Of note to trainers are other exemptions that include an employer not having to provide for part-time employees, seasonal or temporary workers or new employees during a 90-day waiting period. Employers with 10 employees or fewer with average annual pay of $25,000 can receive a credit of up to 35% of their health insurance premium costs through this year. For employers with more workers or higher average pay, the credit phases out at 25 employees or average wages of $50,000.

Reidel then gave several examples of how the ACA will impact the benevolence programs conducted by HBPA members and why these programs will not become obsolete under the new legislation.

68 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

Ecabert followed with additional points on the ACA, including the controversy over the Supreme Court ruling in June that stated that the individual mandate to obtain health insurance is simply another tax if one failed to apply for health insurance. The controversy comes from the fact that the word “tax” does not appear anywhere in the ACA. Ecabert noted that the ACA provides several apparently good laws such as the prohibition of insurers canceling policies for any reason other than fraud or misrepresentation, providing for a waiting period for children under 19 years of age with pre-existing conditions and the removal of annual limits.

However, Ecabert encouraged everyone to review their individual plans with their agents as the ACA seems to ask a lot more questions than it answers.

Dr. Larry Bramlage, partner in the Lextington, Ky., world reknown Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital, also spoke to the convention about the effects of training and racing on the equine musculoskeletal system.

Bramlage said equine bone is formed in two way: modeling, which is genetic; and remodeling, which was defined by Bramlage as how the bone develops in a horse as a result of aging. Add exercise to this formula, Bramlage said, and the bone is strengthened up to a point.

According to data given by Bramlage, horses need to train to strengthen their bones and the ideal amount of work is between 25-35 furlongs of training and racing over a two month period. Conversely, Dr. Bramlage also gave data that indicated that horses bones also begin to weaken after some 120 days of no exercise or during a lay-off.

In subsequent panel discussion on furosemide, several veterinarians, including Bramlage, Dr. Tom Tobin of the University of Kentucky, Dr. Pamela Wilken PhD and Dr. Tom Broken, said that the drug does not compromise the bone strength in race horses, nor does it act as a performance enhancer. Bramlage did say that horses treated with the drug urinate more than normal, thus becoming lighter and in turn possibly faster, and this could be interpreted as enhancing performance. But he also said that there has never been data to prove the theory that such dehydration increases a given horse’s ability to run faster over a sustained distance.

Following the panel discussion, the HBPA endorsed the use of the anti-bleeding medication also known as Lasix and Salix on race day. ■

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PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

Bahiagrass Pasture B

ahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge), is adapted to climatic conditions throughout Florida and can be grown on upland well-drained sands as well as the moist, poorly-drained flatwoods soils of peninsular Florida. In Florida, bahiagrass is used on more land area than any other single pasture species, covering an estimated 2.5 million acres. Most of this acreage is used for grazing with some hay, sod, and seed harvested from pastures.

Bahiagrass is a warm-season grass that produces more grazing in the summer than winter. Due to the longer growing season, forage growth is more evenly distributed throughout the year in southern Florida (Orlando and south) than in northern Florida. In southern Florida, growth of bahiagrass pastures slows in October, and many pastures have very little forage after mid-December until the grass starts growing again in early March. In northern Florida, bahiagrass pastures are productive from April to November.

Bahiagrass is popular with Florida farmers and ranchers because it: 1) tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than other improved grasses; 2) has the ability to produce moderate yields on soils of very low fertility; 3) is easily established from seed; 4) withstands close grazing; and 5) is relatively free from damaging insects (except for mole crickets) and diseases.

Bahiagrass is an ideal general-use pasture grass. Once established it can withstand heavier grazing pressure than the other pasture grasses in common use. Therefore, horses are less likely to destroy a stand of bahiagrass when pastures are overstocked and grass production is inadequate to meet their needs.

However, bahiagrass is not bulletproof and can be damaged by overstocking.

Pensacola is the most widely grown cultivar. It was found growing in Pensacola, Florida in 1935 by UF/IFAS Escambia County Extension Agent, Ed Finlayson.

70 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

Pensacola has long, narrow leaves, taller situation where there are too many horses on seed stalks, and it flowers earlier than other too few acres for too long a period of time. cultivars. Like other bahiagrasses, it has a fi- This will result in destruction of the pasture brous root-system capable of growing to a grass and lead to encroachment of weeds.

Soil testing should be used as a guide for depth of seven feet or more. Pensacola has some cold tolerance, but top growth is killed applying lime. In southern Florida (Orlando by moderate frosts. In northern Florida more and lower), lime to a pH of 5; in northern early-season and late-season production can Florida, lime to a pH of 5.5. Bahiagrass pasbe obtained from the Pensacola types than tures, once limed to the target pH, will require repeated liming depending on the source and from other bahiagrass cultivars.

Argentine is a selection that was intro- amount of annual N (Nitrogen) application. duced from Argentina in 1944. It has wider Pasture may need to be limed again every 2 to leaves, is not as cold tolerant as the Pensacola 3 years if high rates (> 100 lb/A) of Nitrogen types, and does not make growth as early in from ammonium sulfate are used annually, but the spring. It is popular in the sod trade be- about every 4 years if only 60 lb N (Nitrogen) cause it puts up fewer seed heads later in the per acre from ammonium nitrate is applied, yearly. Soil testing for pH every 3 - 4 years as season than Pensacola.

Edsel W. Rowan, UF/IFAS Marion a guide for lime application is essential.

When establishing bahiagrass on new land County Extension Agent (1955 – 1986) was instrumental getting both Pensacola and Ar- that is very acid, try to apply and incorporate the lime 6 to 12 months before planting the gentine established in Marion County.

At seeding rates used for pastures, it may bahiagrass so that the lime will have had suftake two growing seasons to get a stand well- ficient time to neutralize the soil acidity.

For established stands of bahiagrass, apply established. Once established, bahiagrass has an aggressive growth habit and forms a dense fertilizer in the early spring (February - March) sod which is relatively easy to maintain. Peak to maximize much-needed spring growth. sod density usually occurs in the third year Bahiagrass is a very efficient forager and reafter seeding. For commercial sod production, covers nutrients from deeper in the soil profile the use of a higher seeding rate may allow you than other popular forage grasses (up to 70% of N applied is recovered), so danger of leachto obtain peak sod density more quickly.

Stocking rate is about 2 to 2 ½ acres of ing losses is low. Bahiagrass has a somewhat pasture for each horse in a normal growing unique trait of accumulating nutrients in its season. The same stocking rate would apply stolons. It has been estimated that the stolons in to a mare and foal until the baby is weaned, at a fully established mature stand of bahiagrass that is well-fertilized may contain a which time the weanling will rereserve of nutrients that will last 2 to quire its own pasture space.

3 years. ■ Stocking rate will vary to some degree, depending on location, References: type of grass, and size of the horse.

Bahiagrass (SS-AGR-36), Chambliss and Adjei In general, when the pasture area Pastures and Forage Crops for Horses (SSis less than one acre per horse, exAGR-65), Chambliss, Johnson, Ezenwa ercise becomes the main use of the 2006 Fall Forage Update (SS-AGR-84), UF/IFAS Marion pasture and its use as a source of CountyLivestock Agent Blount, Barnett, Prine, feed becomes secondary. Avoid a Quesenberry and Adjei Mark Shuffitt

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Your

FLORIDA HORSE PARK

Breaking Ground T

he first quarter of 2013 stampeded to a close on the hooves of eventing and driving horses at the Park, while the Foundation for the Florida Horse Park moved into an even faster gallop as we kicked off our $3 million dollar capital campaign in earnest.

Our goal for 2013 is to break ground on a covered arena and new barns, moving us closer to the long term vision for the Park as an equestrian and economic hub worthy of the long, proud history of Ocala's equestrian achievement.

Our March 9th ultimate equestrian performance by Sylvia Zerbini was well attended. The internationally renowned, former Cavalia star, performed her, 'Sylvia Zerbini Grandé Liberte™'. If you missed this, you missed something very beautiful and spectacular. This lovely performance provided us a glimpse into the bright future for the Florida Horse Park and our hopes of what it is to come. Our many thanks to Sylvia Zerbini and her amazing troupe of equestrian artists for bringing such an outstanding performance to Ocala and for showing us what is possible when good people come together to support a great cause.

Sylvia Zerbini’s Grandé Liberte™, and our other recent fund raiser, Whinny, Wine and Nibbles, have provided wonderful opportunities to engage Ocala’s equestrian and community leaders, providing important information about our recent successes and our clear vision for the future.

Our revised long-term lease and our stronger financial position pro-

72 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

vide us with important opportunities to move closer to our long term vision and to focus on funding the build-out of the Park.

Other fundraising events are being planned throughout the year. Coming soon on April 18th, is the first ever Ocala Derby Night held at the Hilton Hotel. This will be a fun-filled evening, celebrating the rich, equine history of Ocala and will include human-equine races, complete with opportunities to use “horse bucks” to bet on your favorite human-equine. Additional details about this “horsing around” event will be available soon.

This is our time! After spending the past several years facing financial challenges, and mending and rebuilding relationships, the Florida Horse Park is ready to move forward. Our 2013 fundraising initiative is now proceeding in earnest, with the goal of achieving funding for a covered arena and new barns; as always, we need your help!

There are many ways you can support the Florida Horse Park. Whether you are a business, who might be interested in being a corporate sponsor or a private individual, who would like to attend a fundraising event or volunteer at one of the events held at the Florida Horse Park, we would love to have you join us in this great endeavor.

Just give us a call at (352) 3076699, ext. 8, we look forward to hearing from you! ■ Connie Duff Wise (pictured) President, Foundation for the Florida Horse Park

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O F

To A d v e r t i s e C a l l

INDEX

A D V E R T I S E R S

BIO MEDICAL LAB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 BRIDLEWOOD FARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2, 17 DOUBLE DIAMOND FARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37, 37 FEP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61, 71 FTBOA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 FTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 JOURNEYMAN STUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27, 31, 76 NTRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 OCALA BREEDERS SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 OCALA STUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11, 25 OCD EQUINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse WOODFORD THOROUGHBREDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

STONEHEDGE FARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29

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WRIGHTS OF DEROSA

Racetrack Joints O a Big Part of Industry Culture, Impact

ne of the things I love most about thoroughbred racing is the social aspect surrounding a day at the races and how often that day at the races turns into a night on the town.

by Ed DeRosa Well-known haunts dot the landscapes of racing’s most storied venues: Siro’s, Brigantine, and Mount Washington Tavern are as familiar to the denizens of Saratoga, Del Mar, and Pimlico, respectively, as the racetracks themselves.

What many people fortunate enough to have grown up or only been involved with racing at the highest levels might not realize, though, is that tracks at all levels support this kind of socialization among patrons and the city.

Talking with Louisville Courier-Journal Turf writer Jennie Rees one day, it came up that I was from Cleveland and got into thoroughbreds attending the races at Thistledown. She didn’t ask me whether I had seen Skip Away win the 1996 Ohio Derby or if I remember the slinky esWhat many people calator. No, her first question about my Thistledown exfortunate enough to perience was whether I had ever been to a place called The Winking Lizard. have grown up or I not only had been there but also remember my first time only been involved going there being at the ripe age of six following a day at with racing at the the races with my grandfather. I swear we saw more people highest levels might “from the track” there then we ever saw at the track itself.

I don’t remember my first trip to the racetrack, but there not realize, though, had been many before this day, and I did enjoy, but this is that tracks at all added a new dimension: people swapping stories (what I levels support this now know as “bad beats”), eating better food than you kind of socialization could get at the track but for the same price, and something among patrons and called chicken wings all made this a watershed experience.

Sadly for Thistledown, The Winking Lizard is doing a the city. lot better than the track that helped make it a Cleveland institution. Ohio racing is not what I would call the major leagues, but “the Lizard” has expanded to 14 locations throughout the Buckeye State.

And the success of The Winking Lizard is something I wish more people who regulate and helped fund racing realize. Tracks are destinations, yes, but they’re also a community.

The sense of belonging at a place like The Winking Lizard where people could swap bad beat stories or gossip from the stable area is far more intimate than relationships built at bars near other sporting venues.

I had some great fun living in Cleveland when the Indians made the World Series in 1995 and 1997, but 74 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2013

that excitement pales to the energy surrounding Derby (Kentucky or Ohio!) days at Thistledown.

I wear the tracks I’ve visited, 56 separate locations for live racing, like a badge of honor, and I wear a pants size bigger than I should because of the “racetrack joints” near many of those facilities.

Ellis Park is absolutely one of my favorite racetracks to visit, and that has as much to do with the bucolic nature of the plant and its patrons as it does its proximity to The Log Inn in Haubstadt, Indiana.

And it isn’t always about what comes after the races, either.

I typically like to do the heavy lifting of handicapping a day at the races the night before, which makes breakfast perfect for reviewing the day as a whole and plotting wagering strategy.

Rod’s Grille in Arcadia near Santa Anita and the diners of the Eastern Seaboard are great ways to start the day, and the counter at Wagner’s Pharmacy across from Churchill Downs needs no introduction to those who have been to Louisville.

Two glaring omissions from my list of places I’ve visited are Fair Grounds and Oaklawn Park. Tragic not only because each is a great place for racing but also because both offer the type of scene I said I enjoy. Hopefully it’ll be sooner rather than later before I finally make it to those places.

In the meantime, though, there is Keeneland and Derby week to look forward to. Malone’s, Harry’s, and Dudley’s are all popular post-race spots in Lexington, but I’ve grown partial to grabbing a pie before heading to McCarthy’s Downtown.

And regardless of where you decide to go, the dinner-drinking combo is always a formidable one-two punch. The Winking Lizard offers both as a sports bar, but sometimes a feast at Guiccardo’s Italian Kitchen was more in order after the races.

Sadly, Guiccard’s didn’t fare as well as The Winking Lizard and is long gone from the Thistledown community, but then, so am I. ■ Ed DeRosa is director of marketing for Brisnet.com, the official data source of the Kentucky Derby and TwinSpires.com. Ed joined Brisnet.com in July 2011 following nine years as a writer and editor with Thoroughbred Times.

He grew up in Cleveland and learned to love horse racing while going to Thistledown with his grandfather. Ed is a diehard Indians fan, leaving him to wonder which--if either-will come first: A Triple Crown winner or an Indians world championship. Ed's favorite horses are Real Quiet, Ghostzapper, and Rachel Alexandra.

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