Nov2013 Florida Hore

Cover_Layout 1 10/17/13 9:57 AM Page 1

40075_2013GolfTournament_USE2_Layout 1 10/18/13 1:40 PM Page 1

fT

Thank You

t en

Go l

Charit 3 1 20 ournamy for supporting the Ocala Farm Ministries, student scholarships and the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm

PLATINUM Ag Pro/John Deere/NTRA Advantage Brookledge Horse Transportation Casse Sales Daily Racing Form Double Diamond Farm Eddie Woods Stables Florida Equine Publications J.J. Fields Design, Print, & Web Jerry Parks Insurance Live Oak Stud Matt Bryan, Smith, Bryan and Myers Midwest Thoroughbreds Miller’s Boating Center Niall Brennan Stables Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. Ocala Stud Peterson & Smith Robert Scanlon Training Center Seminole Fence Stonehedge Farm South Stonestreet Training Center Summerfield Sales Agency T.T. Distributors Wavertree Stables What’s Up Ocala

A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.”

GOLD Besilu Stables Creech Horse Transportation FHBPA Goldmark Farm Joan Pletcher and Payton Training Center Journeyman Stud Kentucky Equine Research and Central States Enterprise Paul Sharp Stables Whisper Hill Farm Woodford Thoroughbreds

SILVER Arboritanza Racing "The A Team" Belleview Veterinary Hospital Bobby Jones Equine LLC Boutte Training & Sales Buckeye Nutrition Derby Daze Farm E.B. Gee Equine Savings Gordon Reiss Insurance Great American Insurance Lorraine Horse Transport Metz, Husband & Daughten, P.A. Nelson Jones Farms & Training Center North West Stud Ocala Equine Hospital Rasmussen College Richard & Donna Delahunty Roma Italian Restaurant Sallee Horse Vans Seminole Feed Ted Oroski Village Ford

Ad_Bleed_Check_Layout 1 10/17/13 2:40 PM Page 1

Contents_Layout 1 10/21/13 11:45 AM Page 1

CONTENTS

November 2013 VOL 56/ISSUE 9

DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS 6 THE BROCK TALK 8 FLORIDA FOCUS 19 FTC GOLF TOURNAMENT 34 FLA. NEWS: OBS FALL MIXED SALE 44 AROUND THE COUNTRY Florida-bred racing statistics around the country

48 FTBOA MEMBER UPDATE 58 LEADING SIRES/JUVENILE SIRES 59 LEADING INTERNATIONAL SIRES 77 CHASE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP 82 YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARK 84 82

—By Anne Favre

—By Jamie Cohen

FARM MANAGEMENT

—By Caton Bredar

CATON’S CALL

FEATURES 20

THE GREEK TAKES GOLD

22

FLORIDA SIRE STAKES: ACT THREE

26 28 32 36 52 58

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

COVER PHOTO OF RON THE GREEK: BENOIT & ASSOCIATES CONTENTS PHOTO OF LITTLE MIKE: JOE LABOZZETTA/COGLIANESE

66

Ron the Greek crushes field in G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup —By Dave Allen Florida-bred Scandalous Act sweeps the Florida Stallion Stakes —By Brock Sheridan Mucho Macho Man much the best in G1 Awesome Again —By Dave Allen

MUCHO BEST

Gulfstream Park to hold the Claiming Crown through 2015 —By Michael Cusortelli

CLAIMING CROWN

Little Mike wins the G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic by a nose —By Dave Allen

NOSEY LITTLE MIKE

Q & A with FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell

AROUND THE OVAL

Dr. Phil Matthews and his involvement in the Florida thoroughbred industry—By JoAnn Guidry

THE RIGHT DETOUR

Profiling one of racing’s leading announcers —By Reg Lansberry

VOICES: LARRY COLLMUS

Celebrating 45 years —By Cynthia McFarland

MARKING 45: LIVE OAK STUD

Masthead_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 11:45 AM Page 5

801 SW 60th Avenue Fax: (352) 867-1979 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF BUSINESS MANAGER ASSOCIATE EDITOR CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ART DIRECTOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT PRODUCTION CEO & PUBLISHER CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Ocala, Florida 34474 • (352) 732-8858 www.ftboa.com Brock Sheridan Patrick Vinzant Dave Allen Tammy A. Gantt John D. Filer Beverly Kalberkamp Emily Mills, Nancy Moffatt LONNY TAYLOR 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©.

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

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

Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc.

BOYD

AMERICAN HORSE PUBLICATIONS • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

2013 Important Dates for FTBOA Members

Ocala Breeders’ Cup Party Nov. 2

Farm City Week Nov. 17—24

Late/Late Stallion Registration Deadline November 15, 2013

Member Charity Holiday Open House Dec. 4, 2013 / 6­9 p.m.

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION Phil Matthews Lonny Taylor Powell FIRST VICE PRESIDENT Brent Fernung SECOND VICE PRESIDENT George Russell SECRETARY Sheila DiMare TREASURER Bonnie M. Heath III, DIRECTORS Joe Barbazon, Fred Brei, Gilbert Campbell, Roy Lerman, Joseph M. O’Farrell III, Diane Parks, Linda Appleton Potter, Francis Vanlangendonck, Charlotte C. Weber, Greg Wheeler CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Caroline T. Davis BUSINESS & OPERATIONS MANAGER Patrick Vinzant MEMBER SERVICES & EVENTS DIRECTOR Tammy A. Gantt PRESIDENT

CEO & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES & EVENTS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AWARDS,REGISTRATION & PAYMENTS

Sally Moehring Becky Robinson Sheila Budden

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 • NOVEMBERR 2013 5

BrockTalk_Nov_EditorWelcome 10/21/13 11:46 AM Page 6

the Brock talk

Brock Sheridan

Editor-in-Chief Florida Equine Publications

JOHN D. FILER PHOTO

A High Price For a High School O

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

Belleview High FFA Equine Program students left to right: Sara Zufelt (Holding weanling), Jennifer Barwick, Carlie Peavy, Justin McClure, Stacey Hughes

ne of the criticisms often heard of the thoroughbred industry is that we are just not bringing enough young people into the sport.

Whether those critics are speaking of our sport not having enough infantine fans, green gamblers, burgeoning breeders or just out of school owners, it seems nearly everybody would like to see more youth in our industry.

One group that is currently infusing youngsters into the Florida thoroughbred breeding and sales industry is the Belleview High School Future Farmers of America Equine Program headed by agriculture teacher Amy Davis of Ocala, Fla. The club that has about 155 members, of which 35-40 are in the equine program, each year breeds their Indian Ocean mare Fathom to a local stallion, then prepares the resulting progeny for the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Fall Mixed Sale to be sold as a weanling. If there is a profit, then the proceeds go back to the club to be used to maintain barns and

6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

other facilities used by the club. Fathom is a halfsister to multiple Grade 1 stakes winner Ron the Greek, who just recently won the Jockey Club Gold Cup (Grade 1) at Belmont Park.

There was enough interest in the weanling catalogued Oct. 16 at OBS as hip number 311, that he shattered expectations and sold for $16,000 to Amalio Ruiz-Lozano. That figure eclipsed the record of $8,600 for a weanling sold by the club some years back, before Davis was with the program. Regardless, Davis and the students were elated with the price.

“I was hoping for a price of between five and ten thousand [dollars],” Davis said.

“When he hit $10,000 and then kept going, I was so excited that I was speechless.”

To maximize the effort, several Marion County business leaders contribute to the program. The mare was donated by FTBOA member Jack T. Hammer of Miami Beach with the assistance of former FTBOA Board Member and leading consignor Francis Vanlangendonck of Morriston. Each year the students work at the Journeyman Stud stallion show in exchange for a breeding to one of their many stallions.

This year, the students’ weanling is by Illinois Derby (G2) and Gotham Stakes (G3) winner Cowtown Cat. Seminole Feeds regularly donates feed to the FFA while Brook Ledge Horse Transportation assists by transporting the mare for breeding and the weanling to the sale. Tiffany Atteberry, DVM of Ocala and Rick Erwin, DVM of Belleview provide veterinary assistance.

Because of their donations and the students efforts, the thoroughbred industry in Florida continues to feel the positive influence of the youth of the Belleview FFA and other similar programs at high schools in the area.

Cheers to the co-ed consignors. ■

40228_FirstToSell_USE.qxd_Layout 1 10/17/13 12:58 PM Page 1

SERITA HULT PHOTOS

First To Sell Hip No. 75 Colt by First Dude out of British Event

Hip No. 357 Colt by First Dude out of Marrakech Dawn

SOLD $40,000

SOLD $40,000

First Dude

OBS Fall Mixed Sale Average $29,000

Stephen Got Even—Run Sarah Run, by Smart Strike

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

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 1:47 PM Page 8

Florida FOCUS Compiled by Dave Allen

COADY PHOTO

Best Plan Yet Best of All in Foolish Pleasure Stakes

Florida-bred Best Plan Yet

Best Plan Yet lived up to his status as the post time favorite as he prevailed by a length in the $85,000 Foolish Pleasure Stakes at Calder Casino and Race Course on Sept. 14. The mile-and-seventy-yard race for 2-year-olds over a dirt track that was rated as fast served as a final prep for the $300,000 Florida Stallion Stakes In Reality division.

For most of the way, it looked like the Foolish Pleasure was going to be the scene of a major upset as the longest shot on the board, Union Cash, grabbed the lead early and set the pace. The 24-1 gelding trained by Kathleen O’Connell was stretching out from fivefurlongs for the first time, and it was clear that he could get the distance.

Union Cash set an opening-quarter of :23.12 and held the lead by half-a-length over Kathleen Amaya and Raffaele Centofanti’s dark-bay or brown gelding Copa Del Rey. Union Cash and jockey Eduardo Nunez cruised through the half-mile in :47.99 and three-quarters in 1:13.38, keeping Copa 8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Del Rey a length-and-a-half behind him.

Meanwhile, jockey Jeffrey Sanchez gave Best Plan Yet a ground-saving trip for most of the race. Best Plan Yet broke seventh at the start and was last of the eight runners after a

quarter-mile. Going down the backstretch, Sanchez moved Best Plan Yet up into sixth place before he began his run at the leader going into the far turn.

As they came around the quarter pole, it was still Union Cash leading Copa Del Rey, with Best Plan Yet in third on the outside. Entering the stretch, Sanchez finally asked Best Plan Yet for his late kick and got it. Best Plan Yet made his move in the stretch, but was briefly bumped by Copa Del Rey as they neared the eighth-pole.

Best Plan Yet kept driving as they reached the mile in 1:40.77. All-out and full-throttle, Best Plan Yet passed the longshot in the deep stretch and grabbed the victory by a length in 1:45.53.

Owned and bred by Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm, Inc., and trained by Stanley Gold, Best Plan Yet is the son of Hear No Evil out of Bayou Plans, by Bayou Hebert.

The 2-year-old colt now has two wins on his record and has earned $122,400 from his five lifetime starts.

Black Diamond Cat Goes the Distance Black Diamond Cat had to be regarded as a prime contender for the $100,000 Montbrook Stakes at Gulfstream Park on the strength of his dominating victory in the $100,000 Housebuster Stakes last time out.

The only question regarding the 6-yearold gelding’s credentials for the Sept. 14, one-mile stakes for Florida-bred horses was: Could the son of Journeyman Stud stallion Wildcat Heir be as effective in carrying his abundant talent an extra eighth of a mile as he was while winning the sevenfurlong Housebuster?

Black Diamond Cat was able to answer that question emphatically under a groundsaving ride by Jilver Chamafi, who visited

the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle four times Saturday afternoon.

“In the Housebuster, coming down to the wire, he still had a lot in him,” owner James Dodge said. “We thought he could get a mile under the right conditions, and it looks like he did pretty easy.”

Black Diamond Cat, sent to post as the 5-2 second choice in a field of eight, hardly faltered in the last eighth of a mile, drawing off instead to a five-and-threequarter-length triumph. The victory, worth $60,000 for Dodge’s Bluestone Thoroughbreds, LLC, boosted his career earnings to $462,454. He was bred in Ocala, Fla., by Mike Eckman, Mark

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 1:47 PM Page 9

Hi Fashioned Survives Inquiry to Win Barretts Juvenile At the top of the stretch Hi Fashioned along the inside was being challenged by I Earned It Baby who drifted inward, solidly bumping his rival. I Earned It Baby got the lead momentarily, but Hi Fashioned surged again to get the advantage.

In the final 100 yards it was Hi Fashioned’s turn to drift outward and bumped I Earned It Baby.

After viewing the videotape the stewards ruled both horses were equally at fault and made no change to the original order of finish.

Storm Reveler, a 43-1 longshot, rallied for third with Gangnam Guy fourth in a race restricted to horses that went through one of the Barretts auctions.

For winning trainer Mike Harrington it was his second Barretts Juvenile success. He saddled Seattle Ruler to win the race in 2009.

Bred by Arlene M. Powell of Anthony, Fla., and owned by Rozamund Barclay of Auburn, Wash., Hi Fashioned had finished second twice after pressing a fast pace in two maiden races at Del Mar; however, in the Juvenile he went wire to wire, traversing the distance in 1:19.21.

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Florida-bred Hi Fashioned

Florida-bred Hi Fashioned and I Earned It Baby played “bumper cars” in the final furlong of the $100,000 Barretts Juvenile for 2-year-oldcolts and geldings at the Barretts Race Meet at Fairplex on Sept 15.

Pace-setting Hi Fashioned with jockey Agapito Delgadillo aboard prevailed by one-and-a-quarter lengths over the 6-5 favorite I Earned It Baby with jockey Martin Garcia in the saddle in the six-and-a-half furlong test, but then the stewards posted the “inquiry” sign.

in Montbrook $6,000 as a yearling and he’s turned into a really quite nice sprinter.”

Black Diamond Cat was rated in seventh early before advancing along the rail leaving

MARTIN PHOTO

Ravenscraft and Debbie Ravenscraft.

“We’re thrilled to death with our horse,” said Dodge, who owns Genesis Recovery Center in Lake Worth. “We bought him for

the backstretch and around the turn and slipping inside a tiring Sr. Quisqueyano to grab the lead leaving the turn into the homestretch. The Larry Bates-trained gelding was never threatened thereafter and Grande Shores closed along the rail to finish second under Edgard Zayas.

“I was sitting and waiting for a hole to open. When I shook him, he just went and drew off. No problems,” Chamafi said.

Majestic Express, the 3-2 favorite under Elvis Trujillo, held third, one-and-a-quarter lengths behind the runner-up and a head in front of Sr. Quisqueyano.

Florida-bred Black Diamond Cat

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 9

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 12:12 PM Page 10

Florida FOCUS

Gulfstream Park Begins Construction of 380 New Stalls

Joseph B. Greeley JOSEPH B. GREELEY, 72, passed into eternal life on August 10, 2013. Born and raised in Woodhaven, NY, and a resident of Syosset, NY for over 35 years, and recently of Manhasset, NY. Joe retired from Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. in 1992 where he served on the Executive Committee as the Director of Operations and a member of the board of directors. For the past 30 years, Joe owned and operated Sabine Stables, the thoroughbred racing facility home to multiple grade stakes winners named after his wife, including Win Crafty Lady and Win McCool, and breeder of Kentucky Derby runner-up, Lion Heart. His greatest achievement, however, was his beloved family and circle of friends who will carry

10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Joe in their hearts forever.

Joe was the proud son of the late John and Helen Grealey, originally of County Florida-bred Mayo, Ireland, and loving brother to Sr. Black Diamond Cat Veronica Greeley, O.P. and Kevin Grealey, the late John Grealey, Jr., the late Sr. Margaret Grealey, MSBT and the late Edward Greeley. Devoted husband of 50 years to Winifred McArdle Greeley, loving father to Joseph Greeley, Jr., Sean Greeley, Jeanne Greeley O’Regan and Tara Greeley, dear father-in-law to Nancy Greeley and Thomas O’Regan, beloved “Papa Joe” to his granddaughters Emma and Katelyn Greeley and Aerin and Colin O’Regan, cousin, uncle, great uncle, godfather and friend of many, but most especially his life-long friends from Woodhaven.

JON KRAL PHOTO

OBITUARY:

HALLANDALE BEACH, Fla. - Gulfstream Park has started construction of a $4 million structure with 380 new stalls on the south side of the track’s property.

The structure measures 600 feet long by 84 feet wide and is 156 mph hurricane resistant. The wood stalls with sliding doors will be located just west of the one mile chute.

“The Stronach Group continues to invest in Gulfstream Park and Florida thoroughbred racing,” said Gulfstream Park President Tim Ritvo. “It’s very important to Mr. (Frank) Stronach that we continue improving Gulfstream’s backstretch and its infrastructure. Earlier this year we invested $1 million in a new drainage system, and our dormitories at Gulfstream and Palm Meadows provide the finest private amenities for backstretch workers.”

The dormitories at Gulfstream and Palm Meadows have been praised by leading horsemen throughout the country.

The first stalls are expected to be completed by the end of October.

Ad_Bleed_Check_Layout 1 10/17/13 4:00 PM Page 1

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 12:12 PM Page 12

Florida FOCUS

Holiday Magic Conjures Victory in the Brave Raj Stakes Tucked-in behind a modest pace, Florida-bred Holiday Magic got a stalking trip from jockey Juan Leyva and drew away from the pack to win the $85,000 Brave Raj Stakes by four-and-a-quarter-lengths at Calder Casino and Race Course on Sept. 14.

The mile-and-seventy-yard race over a fast dirt track was for 2-year-old fillies.

Owned by Pinnacle Racing Stables, Jack H. Hendricks, and Roger L. Justice, and trained by Bill Kaplan, Holiday Magic’s victory in the Brave Raj Stakes was her second win in four career starts. The bay filly broke her maiden in her debut, a five-and-a-half furlong maiden special weight at Calder on June 30. After that, she hit the board in the six-furlong, $75,000 Desert Vixen division of the Florida Stallion Stakes and the seven-furlong, $125,000 Susan’s Girl division of the Florida Stallion Stakes.

Stretching out for a mile-and-seventy yards for the first time, Kaplan believed that Holiday Magic would relish the extra panel.

COADY PHOTO

Florida-bred Holiday Magic

“We had a little trouble throttling her down,” Kaplan said. “That’s why we went in this mile race, because she couldn’t relax. Now that we got her to relax, I think she’ll get any distance.”

The modest pace set by the early leader, Maura’s Purse, gave Holiday Magic time to ease into position without pressure. As Maura’s Purse rounded the clubhouse turn and set the first-quarter in :24.36, Leyva tucked Holiday Magic into second place along the rail, with Jeffrey Sanchez and Light Bringer just to the outside of them in third.

Holiday Magic edged up briefly on the 651 leader as they came out of the clubhouse turn, but Leyva backed off and let Light Bringer and Look of a Star move into second and third. Maura’s Purse reached the half-mile in :49.01 and held onto the lead all the way down the backstretch.

Entering the far turn, Maura’s Purse, Look of a Star, and Light Bringer were three-wide vying for the lead. For a moment, it looked like Holiday Magic was going to be trapped along the rail behind a wall of horses when Scripture ‘n Verse moved to her outside. By then, Maura’s Purse and Light Bringer began to tire on the rail. Leyva seized the opportunity to move to the outside as they went around the turn.

Look of a Star held a slight lead over five other fillies when she reached the quarter pole in 1:14.74; however, Holiday Magic was free and clear in the middle of the track with room to run. Although she was on her wrong lead, Holiday Magic took charge of the race in the stretch and never looked back. She reached the mile in 1:41.70 and crossed the wire in 1:45.97, four-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Quinnkat and Scripture ‘n Verse.

For jockey Leyva, the outcome of the race was rarely in doubt.

“I really wasn’t worried about anybody in there,” Leyva said. “I thought I had the best horse in the race. I just had to get her relaxed

12 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

and in a comfortable stride, and that’s pretty much what I did.”

Bred by NTS Stable, Inc., Holiday Magic is the daughter of Congrats and the Harlan’s Holiday mare Harliday. She was purchased in April 2013 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company for $45,000. She has now earned $104,050 in her four-race career.

Dysprosium Makes Easy Work of the Needles Stakes Donald R. Dizney’s homebred Dysprosium is a perfect two-for-two after his six-length romp in the $70,000 Needles Stakes at Calder Casino and Race Course on Sept. 14. The dark bay or brown gelding left the field of eight behind in the mileand-a-sixteenth race for 3-year-olds over a turf course listed as good.

Coming into the stakes after crushing a $25,000 maiden claiming race by sevenand-three-quarter lengths at Calder on Aug. 23, Dysprosium was sent to the post at odds of 9-2. Trained by Bill White, jockey Jeffrey Sanchez didn’t change his strategy one bit from Dysprosium’s impressive debut.

“The plan was the same as the first time at Calder—try to go to the lead; if one horse goes, try to sit behind, but the first plan was to go to the lead,” Sanchez said. “He was a second-time starter; I didn’t want to now change how he runs.”

Sanchez worked the plan perfectly, grabbing the lead shortly after the start and never looking back. Dysprosium made the first quarter-mile in :23.04 and led Gotta Be Fate, Offlee Fast, and a rank Statutorial around the clubhouse turn.

Dysprosium stretched his lead to a full length over Gotta Be Fate when they passed see Dysprosium page 14

Ad_Bleed_Check_Layout 1 10/17/13 11:01 AM Page 1

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 12:13 PM Page 14

Florida FOCUS City of Weston Triumphs

Florida-bred Dysprosium

Dysprosium from page 12 the half-mile in :47.66. Dysprosium was cruising down the backstretch, waiting for a challenger to put up a fight; however, the rest of the pack couldn’t gain an inch on him. As they neared the end of the backstretch, Gotta Be Fate began to tire, while Offlee Fast moved up into second place. Dysprosium kept a steady pace as he reached three-quarters in 1:12.14.

Making his way around the turf course, it looked like Dysprosium may run away with the race uncontested. As the pack went around the far turn, the even-money favorite, Midnight Cello, began to make a run at the leader; however, it was too little too late.

Midnight Cello passed Gotta Be Fate and Offlee Fast, but by the time they reached the quarter pole, Dysprosium was still two widening lengths ahead. When Dysprosium got to the mile in 1:36.82, he was five lengths ahead.

Pouring it on all the way to the wire, he crossed the finish line six lengths ahead of Midnight Cello in 1:43.82.

After his stellar performance, even trainer Bill White was astounded by his horse.

“He was really impressive in this race,” White said. “You never know how a horse is going to perform in their first stakes race, but he ran so well his first race that I knew we could expect great things from him.”

Dysprosium earned $42,000 for his win, bringing his lifetime earnings to $51,800. He is the son of Rock Hard Ten out of Omi Diamond, by Fusaichi Pegasus.

14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Florida-bred City of Weston weaved his Hussar, who barely held third by a head over way through traffic late to score a major upset City of Weston. As they entered the stretch, the in the $300,000 Grade 3 Gallant Bob Stakes battle for the Gallant Bob was just beginning.

Black Hornet and Rainbow Heir dueled at Parx Racing in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on Sept 21. The six-furlong race for 3-year- for the lead as they came down the stretch.

Black Hornet was a head in front of his rival, olds was run over a dirt course rated as fast.

Owned by Cloud Nine Lumoni of Weston, while Clearly Now challenged them from the Fla., City of Weston was lightly regarded by outside. Tucked in behind the leaders were bettors as they sent him to post at odds of 30- Lopez and City of Weston. Initially, Lopez 1. The Florida-bred son of Holy Bull out of made a bid to split Black Hornet and Rainbow How About Dattt, by Souvenir Copy, came Heir; however, that hole soon slammed shut into the race off of a second place finish in and they were forced back down to the rail.

With only a hundred yards left in the race, the $50,000 Hard Spun Stakes at Delaware Park on Aug. 5. He earned an 85 Beyer Lopez found just enough daylight along the Speed Figure for his effort that day. Prior to rail to make one last attempt for the lead. City the Hard Spun Stakes, City of Weston came of Weston charged forward in a furious move, in a distant sixth in his only race against passing the tiring Black Hornet, Clearly Now, graded-stakes company, the Grade 3 Carry Back Stakes at Calder Casino and Race Course on July 6.

As they loaded into the gate, Clearly Now and Rainbow Heir, ridden by Mike Smith, were the 2-1 post time co-favorites.

When the gates sprung open, Black Hornet, trained

by Pat Parente, was fastest Florida-bred of all and grabbed the lead City of Weston along the rail. Rainbow Heir and Majestic Hussar were second and and the closing Zeewat. City of Weston’s late third, while City of Weston and his rider, Paco surge got him to the wire in 1:09.63, just Lopez, remained in fourth place. Black Hor- three-quarters-of-a-length ahead of Clearly net reached the opening quarter-mile in a blis- Now in second and Black Hornet in third.

At 30-1 odds, City of Weston’s win blew up tering :21.43 and was a length ahead of the tote board with payoffs of $63.00 to win, Rainbow Heir.

Going around the far turn, Clearly Now, $20.80 to place, and $8.00 to show. Beaten faridden by Luis Saez, began to make his way vorite Clearly Now returned $4.00 and $3.20, from the back of the pack to challenge the while Black Hornet paid $5.60 to show. The leaders. Passing City of Weston on the out- $2 exacta paid a handsome $276.80, while the side, it looked like Clearly Now was going $2 trifecta paid a generous $4,458.60.

Trained by Antonio Sano, City of Weston to trap City of Weston along the rail.

As they reached the quarter pole in :43.70, now has five wins from his 21 lifetime starts.

Black Hornet and jockey Kendrick Car- With the $180,000 he gained from the Galmouche were still on top by a length. Rainbow lant Bob victory, City of Weston now has Heir was in second by a head over Majestic $369,064 of earnings for his career.

EQUIPHOTO

COADY PHOTO

In Grade 3 Gallant Bob Upset

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 12:13 PM Page 15

My Pal Chrisy a Mild Surprise in Musical Romance Stakes as the 5-2 third betting choice.

“She’s much better going one turn. As a young horse, she was much better going short,” Wolfson said. “She’s so good right now. I’ve watched her for the last year. I tried to buy her last year.”

While My Pal Chrisy benefited from the strong early pace, it likely proved the undoing of her stablemate, Starship Truffles, who closely stalked a fast early pace set to her inside by Florida-bred Wildcat Lily, the second choice at 2-1 who had finished second in the Test (G1) and Prioress (G1) at Saratoga in her two previous starts. My Pal Chrisy settled in the back of the pace under jockey Jonathan Gonzales as Wildcat Lily and Starship Truffles sped along the backstretch and into the turn in fractions of :22.50 and :45.30.

Starship Truffles, ridden by Edgard Zayas, inherited the lead on the turn into the homestretch when Wildcat Lily faded from her

MARTIN PHOTO

Trainer Marty Wolfson had a good feeling that he’d visit the Gulfstream Park winner’s circle following the $100,000 Musical Romance Stakes on Sept. 21. He just expected that he would celebrate a victory in the six-and-a-half furlong stakes for fillies and mares with Starship Truffles, the 2-1 favorite and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company graduate whom he had saddled for a Grade 1 stakes victory two starts back, not My Pal Chrisy.

“I thought Starship [Truffles] would beat this filly, but this filly has gotten so good, just so good since I bought her,” said Wolfson, who saddled four of the seven starters in the Musical Romance.

My Pal Chrisy, who had captured the $100,000 Paseana Stakes at Gulfstream on Aug. 17 in her first start since being purchased by Miller Racing LLC, benefited from a strong early pace and kicked in through the stretch to prevail by two lengths

Breeders’ Cup Champ, Florida-bred Millionaire Arrive at Northwest Stud Northwest Stud announced that Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Wrote and multiple graded stakes-winning Duke of Mischief have joined the stallion roster and will stand the 2014 season at the stallion station near Ocala, Florida.

The addition of the two stallions, along with Flashstorm, Gone Astray, Pleasant Strike and United States, makes Northwest Stud the fourth largest thoroughbred stallion operation in Florida.

Wrote, bred in Ireland and a son of two-time Eclipse Award-winner High Chaparral, competed in 11 races in the United States, Ireland, England and the United Arab Emirates. He came from mid-pack in a 14-horse field to capture the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) at Churchill Downs by twoand-a-quarter lengths under Ryan Moore, and finished third in the 2012 United Arab Emirates Derby (G2). Wrote retired with earnings of $815,943.

His sire, High Chaparral (Sadler’s Wells), compiled a record of 10-1-2 in 13 starts, winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf twice, along with the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby, and finished third in successive years in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. High Chaparral is the sire of 15 European-bred Group winners. In Australia, he is sire of four first-crop Group 1 winners including international superstar So You Think and It’s a Dundeel, recent winner of

the Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes, Sept. 21.

Duke of Mischief, a son of Graeme Hall out of the Real Courage mare My Lady Amelia, earned $1,905,747 on a record of 7-5-0 in 30 starts. He displayed his versatility early, breaking his maiden on the grass at Gulfstream Park in 2009, and then winning an allowance race on the main track at Calder Casino and Race Course by eleven-and-three-quarter lengths. Duke of Mischief won at distances of one mile to 1 1/8 miles, on dirt and turf, and at one point in his career between 2009 and 2013, started in 24 consecutive stakes. Among his victories, he numbered the Oaklawn Handicap (G2), Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G3), Philip Iselin Stakes (G3), Charles Town Classic (G3), and the Iowa Derby by five lengths.

Duke of Mischief’s sire, Graeme Hall, is a multiple graded stakes-winning son of Dehere, and earned $1.1 million. He’s a perennial leading Florida sire with lifetime progeny earnings nearing $21 million. Duke of Mischief’s dam, My Lady Amelia, has also produced multiple stakes-winner Lord Robyn, an earner of $502,547 and winner of the Tropical Park Derby (G3).

Stud fees for both stallions will be announced at a later date. For more information, contact Alfredo Lichoa (352) 361-9644 or Joseph Iadisernia (561) 441-2195.

Florida-bred My Pal Chrisy

early efforts, but Florida-bred Appealing Stella instantly posed a serious threat to her outside. The Mid-Atlantic invader assumed a clear lead in mid-stretch but would prove no match for the surging My Pal Chrisy, who ran six-and-a-half furlongs in 1:16.41.

“Mr. Wolfson told me to ride her like last time – take her back and keep an eye on (Wildcat Lily),” Gonzales said. “When we were ready to make our move, she responded well.”

Appealing Stella, who was bred by Stonecliff Farm of Ocala, Fla., finished fourand-a-quarter lengths clear of third-place finisher Starship Truffles, who was a length ahead of stablemate Bringingdown Babel in fourth. Sure Route, the fourth Wolfson starter, finished fifth, followed by Wildcat Lily and Isabelle’s Thunder.

Wolfson said saddling four horses for a race can be a challenge.

“It’s tough to watch, keeping an eye on all of them,” he said. “They were all where I wanted them to be, except Starship Truffles, who was too close to the pace.”

My Pal Chrisy is likely to be a frequent participant in future Gulfstream stakes.

“She’s a Florida-bred. She’s eligible for the Claiming Crown (at Gulfstream on Dec. 7).

She ran for $16,000,” said Wolfson, noting that Starship Truffles, who won the Claiming Crown Glass Slipper at Gulfstream last year, is also eligible for the big event this year. “She has a lot of things here.”

My Pal Chrisy is the daughter of Alex’s Pal and the Strike the Anvil mare Strike South. She was bred by Shade Tree Thoroughbreds, Inc., of Reddick, Fla. THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 15

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 1:48 PM Page 16

Florida FOCUS

Immortal Eyes Newest FL-bred Millionaire After De Francis Memorial Dash Win ley had run fourth in the slop in his last start, the Grade 1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga, bettors still made Sage Valley the 3-2 post time favorite.

Immortal Eyes was Florida-bred sharp from the very start. Immortal Eyes When the gates sprung open, he got the best break and shot to the lead. Ridden by Travis L. Dunkelberger, Immortal Eyes was clear of the field after just a few strides. He passed the first quarter-mile in :22.31, a length ahead of rivals Royal Currier and Il Villano. Immortal Eyes cruised over the sloppy surface just off of the rail as he made his way down the backstretch, keeping the pack at least a length away.

As the horses entered the turn, Royal Currier and jockey Angel Serpa tried to make a move up on the leader, but he could gain no more than a half-a-length on Immortal Eyes.

Going around the turn, Il Villano and rider Julian Pimentel made a brief bid on the outside, but he couldn’t sustain it as Immortal Eyes powered on.

Immortal Eyes reached the quarter pole in :45.13, still a length ahead of Royal Currier.

After setting a rating pace, Immortal Eyes took control of the race as he entered the stretch.

Dunkelberger urged Immortal Eyes with his hands, and the gelding began to draw away from EQUIPHOTO

The grey skies and the sealed but sloppy main track at Laurel Park couldn’t hold back Florida-bred Immortal Eyes as he crushed the field of seven in the $350,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash on Sept 21. The victory in the six furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up made Immortal Eyes the latest Florida-bred to earn $1 million in a career.

Coming into the race at Laurel Park, the 8-year-old gelding bred by Adena Springs of Ocala, Fla., had finished first or second in his last four starts. He was second by five lengths to Ribo Bobo in the $72,000 Icecapade Stakes over six furlongs at Monmouth Park on Sept. 2. Prior to that, Immortal Eyes was the winner by a neck in the $107,000 Teddy Drone Stakes on the Haskell Invitational day undercard at Monmouth in July. Combined with his seven-and-a-quarter length victory in the $76,000 Mr. Prospector Stakes at Monmouth on July 7, it was clear that Immortal Eyes had class and was in good form.

Trained by Damon R. Dilodovico, the son of Greatness, who stands at HallMarc Stallions in Ocala, and the Private Terms mare Private Eyes was sent to the gate with juicy odds of 91. The morning line favorite for the sprint was Sage Valley, a 4-year-old colt trained by Rudy Rodriguez who won the Grade 3 James Marvin Stakes at Saratoga in July. Although Sage Val-

First Winner for Hello Broadway Hello Broadway, who stands at Monte and Cathy Thomas’ Ups and Downs Farm in Citra, Fla., had his first winner when Tiz Showbiz won against $25,000 maiden claimers at Delaware Park Sept. 30.

Tiz Showbiz broke well from the outside post in the field of six and settled just to the outside of early leaders Golden Rings and Abel A. as they hit the first quarter mile of the six furlongs in :23.19. A gelded son of the Peaks and Valleys mare Valley Queen, Tiz Showbiz and jockey Daniel Centeno moved on the leaders around the turn and had the edge as they turned for home. By that time 7-5 favorite Golden Rings was finished as was Abel A. but Word Racer was now the threat.

Those two battled to the wire with Tiz Showbiz prevailing by a nose over Word Racer in second, stopping the teletimer in 1:12.23 over a main track listed as fast.

Tiz Showbiz was bred by his owners, Porter Racing Stable LLC of Brooksville, Fla., and is trained by Randy Nunley.

Hello Broadway is a 7-year-old son of Broken Vow and the Storm Cat mare, Nightstorm. In 2013, he stood for $3,000. For more information on Hello Broadway, contact Ups and Downs Farm at 352.817.6622.

16 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

his tiring foes. He reached the eighth-pole in :56.57, four lengths ahead of his closest rival, Royal Currier. With the finish line in sight, Immortal Eyes kept driving and crossed the wire in 1:08.47 by a winning margin of six-and-threequarter lengths. Closers Saturday’s Charm and Service for Ten came in second and third.

The wire-to-wire victory was all part of the plan for trainer Dilodovico.

“I was so confident going into this race.

Travis and I had made a decision. We would be in front and they would have to come and get us. He’s kind of a temperamental horse, so it’s good when he gets out in the clear and you don’t have to fuss with him too much,” Dilodovico said. “This is definitely the best race I’ve ever won and the whole stable deserves a ton of credit for it.”

Immortal Eyes earned $210,000 for his owner, Robert Abbo Racing Stable of Key Biscayne, Fla. With his score in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, Immortal Eyes has raised his lifetime earnings to $1,090,051 from his 47 career starts.

The milestone win by Immortal Eyes was welcome news for HallMarc Stallions.

“We are thrilled for Immortal Eyes and his connections,” director of bloodstock services Lisa Simoff said.

“Greatness is an impeccably bred stallion and it’s gratifying to witness him reaching new heights as a sire. His progeny consistently prove themselves to be exceptionally fast and very durable racehorses.”

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 12:13 PM Page 17

Parranda Celebrates Return to South Florida With Our Dear Peggy Win

MARTIN PHOTO

that Millennia held onto place by a nose over Creative License. Even-money favorite Sola Gratia finished a half-length back in fourth.

With the $60,000 she won in the Our Dear Peggy Stakes, Parranda now has $188,955 of lifetime earnings from her 16 career starts.

She was purchased for $13,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company in April 2011.

Obituary: Marty Hershe Marty Hershe, a mainstay in the Florida thoroughbred breeding industry died on Thursday, Oct. 3, at the age of 92.

Marty Hershe has been a fixture of the Florida thoroughbred industry since his arrival at Bruce Campbell’s Early Bird Stud Farm in the 1960s. Hershe served as the manager of the farm until Campbell’s death in 1977, when it was bequeathed to him. While Hershe ran the original Early Bird Stud farm, he opened his own Early Bird Stud operation which he used as a training center in 1982. He sold the original Early Bird Stud farm in the 1980s and continued to operate his own Early Bird Stud. He later changed the name of the farm to Turtle Pond Farm before retiring from training in the 2000s.

During his career, Hershe and his wife, Carol, bred graded stakes winner Leroy S. as well as stakes winners Christmas Country, Best Game, Nobel Novice and Country Duke. In addition to these horses, he also bred stakes winners You’re My Boy Blue, Dry Martini, Freer, Lavaca, Bally Ho, and Overdone.

FILE PHOTO

randa to move up close behind the leader.

Dreamlicious set a slow opening quarter-mile in :26.57, a head in front of Parranda, who was a length ahead of Putitinmypocket running on the outside in third.

Dreamlicious continued her easy pace down the backstretch as she covered the halfmile in :52.43, a half-length ahead of Parranda; however, the field began to bunch-up around Parranda as Putitinmypocket, Sola Gratia, and Millennia started to move forward around her.

Sensing that he may get blocked-in by the oncoming pack, jockey Elvis Trujillo urged Parranda to start her move as they entered the far turn. With Dreamlicious beginning to tire on the rail, Parranda made her move on the outside and took the lead by a half-length as they came to the quarter pole in 1:16.25. Dreamlicious still held second by a length over Millennia, who was a half-length ahead of her stable mate, Sola Gratia.

Coming out of the far turn, Parranda fiFlorida-bred Parranda nally took control of Sept. 29 was destined to be Parranda’s day to the race for good. She opened up a full-length move up in class as a stakes winner. Trained lead as she pushed down the stretch, leaving

by Rodolfo Garcia, the daughter of English the pack behind her to fight for place and Channel and the Rahy mare Dynamic Feature show. Millennia and Sola Gratia were battling just had to get past Sola Gratia and Millennia each other for second and third in the deep and three other fillies before she could get her stretch; however, closer Creative License came roaring from the back to get up at the picture taken in the winner’s circle.

Parranda got a good break from the start, wire.

Parranda crossed the finish line in 1:39.77, running in third as Dreamlicious and Jonathan Gonzales set a relaxed pace along two-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of the second the rail and Sola Gratia followed in second. flight of runners. With Creative License’s late Sola Gratia, bred by David Dizney of Ocala, charge, the placing judges had to check the took the clubhouse turn wide, allowing Par- photo for place and show. The photo revealed Florida-bred Parranda’s return to Miami from the Jersey Shore was a successful one as the 4-year-old filly owned by Lone Stable, LLC, ran away with the $100,000 Our Dear Peggy Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Sept 29.

The mile-long race over the firm turf for registered Florida-bred fillies and mares, 3years-old and up, was her first race back in Florida since May. Bred by Jessica Steinbrenner’s Kinsman Farm of Ocala, Fla., Parranda had just missed getting her first stakes win by a head her last time out when she came in second to Valiant Girl in the $61,000 Omnibus Stakes at Monmouth Park on Aug. 24. Before that, she had won four route races in the claiming and allowance/optional claiming ranks; however,

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 17

Focus_Nov_Layout 1 10/18/13 12:13 PM Page 18

Secret Kitten Pounces to Cassidy Stakes Win

COADY PHOTO

With three wins in three career starts, there is no hiding Secret Kitten’s class. The 2year-old Gilbert G. Campbell homebred filly dominated a field of five in the $85,000 Cassidy Stakes at Calder Casino and Race Course on Sept 29. The six furlong race for 2-year-old fillies was run over a dirt course rated as fast.

Trained by Kathleen O’Connell, Secret Kitten came into the race as the favorite following her win in her four-and-a-half furlong maiden special weight debut at Calder in May. She followed-up this victory with a four-and-a-half length commanding win in the $70,000 Catcharisingstar Stakes at Calder on Aug. 24, a five-furlong race over the turf.

With jockey Antonio Gallardo once again in the irons, the daughter of Discreet Cat and the Smoke Glacken mare Mossy Bank was ready to put her undefeated record on the line.

When the gates opened, Secret Kitten initially got the best jump but was passed by Florida-bred Flutterby and City in Sky. Flutterby, a Jerry Bozzo homebred daughter of

Florida-bred Secret Kitten

Congrats out of Zoobie, by First and Only, got to the front and battled City in Sky for the lead. She ran the first quarter-mile in a swift :21.48, a head of City in Sky and another length in front of Secret Kitten in third.

Flutterby and City in Sky dueled each other the whole way down the backstretch, and they were nose-to-nose as they entered the far turn.

City in Sky, ridden by Jose Alvarez, was able to 18 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

push Flutterby to her limits; however, Secret Kitten was starting to roll on the outside.

As they went around the far turn, Secret Kitten passed the tiring Flutterby and caught up to City in Sky. When they reached the quarter pole in :45.61, Secret Kitten was in front of City in Sky by a head, while Flutterby was a length-and-a-half further behind in third.

At the top of the stretch, Antonio Gallardo asked Secret Kitten for her late kick and she charged away from the pack.

By the time she reached the eighth-pole in :59.63, Secret Kitten was six lengths ahead of City in Sky. Chinita Mia, a daughter of Journeyman Stud stallion Circular Quay out of Homecoming Miss, by Came Home bred by Norman Casse of Ocala, came roaring from the back of the pack late; however, Secret Kitten was too far ahead to catch.

Secret Kitten stopped the clock in 1:14.47 for the six furlongs, three-and-a-half lengths ahead of Chinita Mia, who was nine-and-aquarter lengths in front of City in Sky in third.

Although she won her two previous races in front-running fashion, jockey Antonio Gallardo believes that Secret Kitten’s off-the-pace win in the Cassidy Stakes is a sign of her development.

“I think she has improved because all of the time she goes in front,” Gallardo said.

“She is very competitive in front. Today, two horses came with me and I didn’t want to tire my filly out. I put her off the pace a little bit like second, third, and she looked at the other horse a little bit but when I asked, she went.

That’s a good horse.”

Secret Kitten earned $51,000 for the win, bringing her lifetime earnings to $117,100 from her three races.

Florida-bred Sr. Quisqueyano Wires Field in Quality Road Florida-bred Sr. Quisqueyano got the lead early and never looked back as he ran away with the $100,000 Quality Road Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Oct. 5. He defeated rival Csaba by two-and-aquarter lengths in the mile-and-a-sixteenth race for 3-year-olds and up over the main track rated as fast.

Csaba, a graded stakes winner that has dominated South Florida racing, broke best at the beginning; however, he was soon overtaken by Carlos Olivero and Sr. Quisqueyano, a 3-year-old bay colt who won the Calder Derby in April.

Trainer Luis Olivares knew that it was important for Sr. Quisqueyano to get in front of his rival early.

“I knew Csaba wanted to go to the lead so I told the jockey, ‘You got to go to the lead and cut in front of him and throw some dirt on him.

Then, ride your own race from there,” Olivares said. “He loves to be on the lead. Everybody took back and that helped him a lot.”

As they entered the clubhouse turn, Sr. Quisqueyano opened up a length-lead and began to set an easy pace of :24.13 for the first quarter-mile. With the relaxed pace and the extra distance, Olivares Florida-bred was confident that Sr. Quisqueyano Quisqueyano would triumph in the Quality Road.

“Two turns helps this horse a lot. I was concerned when I ran him a [one-turn] mile the other day. He relaxes more when he goes two turns,” Olivares said. “When I saw :24 and :47, I knew they were dead. I knew how he was training. He was training real well.”

Sr. Quisqueyano never let his competition get any closer. Saving ground, he set fractions of :24.13, :47.71, 1:11.72, and 1:36.39. Throughout the race, Csaba held second and Florida-bred Joshua’s Comprise, from the barn of Barry Rose, was in third.

Although Csaba got a stalking trip, Sr. Quisqueyano opened up a two-length lead in the stretch and finished the race in 1:42.95, two-anda-quarter lengths ahead of Csaba. Joshua’s Comprise came in third, two-and-a-quarter lengths behind Csaba. Even-money post time favorite Where’s Sterling came in fourth.

Owned by DDRD Racing of Weston, Fla., Sr. Quisqueyano was bred by Do-Little Farm, LLC, of Ocala, Fla. He is by Journeyman Stud stallion Exclusive Quality out of Royal Navy, by Polish Navy.

With the $60,000 that he gained in the Quality Road Stakes, Sr. Quisqueyano now has $479,150 of lifetime earnings from 16 career starts. He was sold for $5,500 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company 2011 Winter Sale.

EQUIPHOTO

Florida FOCUS

FTC_GolfPage_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 11:49 AM Page 2

Florida Thoroughbred Charities On Friday Oct. 11, the popular Florida Thoroughbred Charities golf tournament returned to Ocala. Held at the Ocala National Golf Club, more than a hundred members of the FTBOA, charity friends and industry supporters turned out, giving the charity event 26 enthusiastic teams. The winning teams were the Robert Scanlon Training Center, consisting of Dave Scanlon, JR Boyd, Mark Sandler and Martin Musgrave with a score of 58. Musgrave also won the longest drive. Raffle tickets for great prizes were popular fundrais- 1 ers and were donated by Roma, Gators Dockside, Haile Plantation, Equine Savings and the FTBOA. The Putting Contest was split between Dan Ogen and Eric Casey. Closest to 2 the Pin was Phyllis Rankin. The Miller’s Boating Center hole had a couple near-winners.

The golf committee chair George Russell and co-chair Bill Murphy thanked everyone for their great effort to make the day successful and thanked all of the generous sponsors who played and donated. A picture perfect autumn day made for a successful event raising more than 3 $15,000 for the FTC and Ocala Farm Ministries. The next charity event is the annual stallion season auction in January.

SALLY MOEHRING PHOTOS

Golf Tournament

4

5

6

7 8 1) NTRA Advantage and Ag Pro share a Gator for the hole-in-one contest. 2) Hall of Fame jockey Jacinto Vasquez ponders his next shot. 3) Second place team Brook Ledge poses in front of Hole-in-One prize, a Miller's boat 4) Gary Shepherd lines up a putt 5) New Episode's Tony Everard hits the course 6) Phyllis Rankin at the OBS hole won the closest to the pin contest 7) George Russell and FTC volunteers 8) Tack Shack's Marti and son Corey Haught hit some balls.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 19

RonTheGreek_Florida Horse_template 10/16/13 4:12 PM Page 20

20 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

RonTheGreek_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 11:51 AM Page 21

By DAVE ALLEN hey all thought that his best days were behind him but Florida-bred Ron the Greek proved differently by demolishing a field of eight stars in a career performance to win the $1 million Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational (Grade1) at Belmont Park on Saturday, Sept., 28.

Owned by Brous Stable of New York City, NY, Wachtel Stable of Briarcliff Manor, NY, Gary Barber of Los Angeles, Calif., and Jack T. Hammer of Miami Beach, Fla., Ron the Greek lurked in third place most of the way, chasing Woodward Stakes (G1) winner Alpha and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Palace Malice before making his move around the far turn. The 6-year-old bay horse, bred by Jack T. Hammer and trained by Bill Mott, took charge of the race as the field entered the stretch and proved the world that the “old pro” could still get it done.

Ridden by Jose Lezcano, Ron the Greek broke well at the start and was well-positioned in fourth place along the rail which turned out to be the perfect spot for him as Alpha began to bear out as they came around the far turn.

Jockey Lezcano urged Ron the Greek for his late kick. Like Kelso had done so many decades before him, Ron the Greek shook off the years and took charge of the race.

By the time they reached the mile in 1:35.08, Ron the Greek was already two lengths ahead of Palace Malice and the tiring Alpha.

Flat Out and the Brazilian invader Vitoria Olympica (BRZ) were moving forward, but Ron the Greek poured it on in the stretch, crossing the wire six-and-three-quarter lengths ahead of his vanquished foes.

With his $600,000 score in the Jockey Club Gold Cup, Ron the Greek, a son of Full Mandate out of Flambe’, by Fortunate Prospect, now has more than $2.7 million in lifetime earnings. ■

T

Ron the Greek

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

crushes field in G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 21

FSS_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:19 PM Page 22

Act

Three

By BROCK SHERIDAN lorida-bred Scandalous Act became the first horse to sweep all three divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes since Ft. Loudon in 2011, while Best Plan Yet spoiled her stablemate’s effort to do the same one race later Oct. 12 at Calder Casino and Race Course.

After convincing victories by a combined 16 lengths in the $75,000 Desert Vixen leg of the Florida Stallion Stakes in July and in the Susan’s Girl leg in August, Scandalous Act was bet down to 2-5 by the wagering public in the $300,000 My Dear Girl division of the prestigious series for 2-year-old fillies. And the daughter of Act of Duty and the Langfuhr mare Seductive Lady did not disappoint.

Breaking from post six with jockey Eduardo Nunez aboard, Scandalous Act went right to the front in the mile and one-sixteenth My Dear Girl division, putting a length on her rivals while going the first quarter-mile in :24.28. However, as they straightened away down the backstretch, she was quickly joined by 2-1 second choice Holiday Magic and longshot Golden Friendship just to her outside as they were three-across the track after a half-mile in :49.51. The trio continued to stay together around the far turn as Quinnkat was making a move on the leaders while going four-wide.

But when they turned for home, Nunez threw a cross of his reins, allowing Scandalous Act to easily begin to draw clear of any challengers.

Still adding distance to her lead, Scandalous Act seemed to think the eighth pole was a point of additional acceleration and she appeared to hit yet another gear on her way to an easy five and three-quarter-length victory over Quinnkat in second and Holiday Magic, another length and three-quarters back, in third. The time for the My Dear Girl on a fast track was 1:49.81.

It was an historical victory for trainer Kathleen O’Connell, who became the first female trainer to sweep all three legs of a Florida Stallion Stakes series for fillies or colts and geldings. Owner-breeder Gilbert Campbell of Tyngsboro, Mass., was also elated with the win and the sweep.

“Nobody will ever beat this record,” Campbell said. “They can tie it but they can’t beat it.”

Asked what was next for Scandalous Act, Campbell was not shy about his plans to go to the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (Grade 1) to be run at Santa Anita on Nov. 2. “We’ll wait a week or so and see how she comes 22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

COADY PHOTOS

F

FSS_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:19 PM Page 23

Florida-bred Scandalous Act became the first horse to sweep all three divisions of the Florida Stallion Stakes since Ft. Loudon in 2011

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 23

FSS_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:19 PM Page 24

out of the race. But if she is good, we’ll go [to the Breeders’ Cup]. This is very exciting to have a filly like this.

But our staff at [Stonehedge Farm in Ocala, Fla.] say next year’s crop may be better than this. Hard to believe.”

It was the fourth victory in five career starts for Scandalous Act and the $180,420 first-place check pushed her lifetime earnings to $328,040. She paid $3 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.

Quinnkat paid $5.60 to place and $2.80, while Holiday Magic returned $2.10 to show.

Campbell and O’Connell attempted more history in the next race as their My Brown Eyed Guy also had an opportunity to sweep the colt and gelding portion of the Florida Stallion Stakes by winning the $300,000 In Reality division. Also owned and bred by Campbell and trained by O’Connell, My Brown Eyed Guy had won the $75,000 Dr. Fager division in July and the Affirmed division in August; however, it was not his day.

All looked good for even-money favorite My Brown Eyed Guy early in the mile-and-a-sixteenth In Reality as he broke well and settled just off of early leader Copa Del Rey as they raced around the clubhouse turn. However, jockey Jeffrey Sanchez had 9-5 second choice Best Plan Yet on the rail, sitting just behind those leaders as the vanguard went the first two furlongs in :23.89. After a half-mile in :48.41, Sanchez pushed the go button on Best Plan Yet and he began to slowly put distance between him and the rest as they raced around the far turn.

Once they straightened away for home, Best Plan Yet kept pulling away, eventually hitting the wire five and three-quarters lengths ahead of longshot Purchango in second and We’re All Set in third, another length back.

The final running time was 1:47.90.

My Brown Eyed Guy looked to be making a move on the far turn but once they turned for home, he had nothing left and wound up finishing last. After the race, Campbell said he had no indication as to what may have gone wrong. O’Connell said, “[My Brown Eyed Guy] seems like he will be fine. Maybe he will need turf or not go as long. But he seemed fine.”

Best Plan Yet is trained by Stanley Gold for Fred Brei’s Jacks or Better Farm located in Ocala, Fla. After the race, he said he felt confident coming into the In Reality, despite finishing second to My Brown Eyed Guy in the both the Dr. Fager and Affirmed.

“I felt pretty confident coming into the race and was excited about how I thought [Best Plan Yet] would run.”

Gold said. “But I really am surprised to see how easy he did it. Today he really had things his own way with his trip along the rail and that doesn’t always happen. Sanchez 24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

rode a beautiful race and the colt took advantage.”

Brei was also very pleased with the performance to say the least. However, neither would give much of an indication as to future plans for the homebred son of Journeyman Stud stallion Hear No Evil and Bayou Plans, by Bayou Hebert.

“I don’t know right now what is next,” Gold said. “He is paid up to the Breeders’ Cup but there is a whole slate of races here [in Florida] for him. He’s bred for the turf, so we have that option. I certainly don’t think he’ll be any less of a horse on the turf. His dam side is loaded with turf breeding.”

“I was delighted that he did what we thought he could do,” Brei said. “But he still hasn’t buried his ears and still hasn’t dropped his head [and really tried or been tested]. “He’s still looking around. I don’t know if we want to tackle Grade 1 company in the Breeders’ Cup or if we want to go for something lesser like the Delta Jackpot. All I know is that we want to be ready for Gulfstream next year [when Best Plan Yet is] a 3-year-old.”

Best Plan Yet paid $5.60 to win, $4 to place and $3.40

FSS_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 11:53 AM Page 25

I felt pretty con“ fident coming into

to show. Purchango paid $20.40 and $17.00 while We’re All Set paid $12.20.

Best Plan Yet now has three wins from five starts with earnings of $300,960.

Two other stakes were featured at Calder on the Oct. 12 card and Florida-bred E B Ryder took the $70,000 Frances A. Genter Stakes for 3-year-old fillies going a mile on the turf.

Trained by Martin Wolfson for Miller Racing LLC, E B Ryder settled nicely into her usual early running position toward the back of the pack. Sitting in ninth—then eighth— as early leader Putyourdreamsaway set an early fraction of :23.23 for the first quarter before Love to Score took over as they hit the first half-mile in :47.11. Down the stretch, She’s Spooky took the lead with Dreaming of Sophia also right there while E B Ryder was launching a bid while racing five-wide. Approaching the sixteenth pole, E B Ryder had all of the momentum and went on to win by a length and one-half over Triple Arch in second in a time of 1:36.50.

Triple Arch was another length and one-half ahead of oddsodd choice Dreaming of Sophia for third.

E B Ryder is a daughter of Bluegrass Cat and Back to Earth, by Theatrical (IRE). She was bred in Florida by Farnsworth Stables LLC. Her supporters received $23.80 for their $2 win tickets, $10 for place and $6.80 to show.

She now has four wins from 14 starts with earnings of $155,290.

Triple Arch paid $19.80 to place and $9.60 to show while Dreaming of Sophia paid $2.80 to show.

In the $70,000 Tropical Park Derby, Amen Kitten rallied from 10th to first to win the mile and one-eighth event for 3-year-olds.

Trained by Wesley Ward for owner-breeders Kenneth L. and Sarah Ramsey, Amen Kitten was ridden by Juan Delgado. Midnight Cello was second while Grand Tito finished third.

By Kitten’s Joy and out of the Pulpit mare Crumbs of Comfort, Amen Kitten now has two wins from 15 starts and earnings of $123,749. He paid $4.40 to win, $3 to place and $2.40 to show.

Midnight Cello paid $3.60 and $2.60 while Grand Tito paid $3.80.■

the race and was excited about how I thought [Best Plan Yet] would run. But I really am surprised to see how easy he did it. Sanchez rode a beautiful race and the colt took advantage.

—Stanley Gold

”

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 25

MuchMachoMan_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 11:54 AM Page 26

By DAVE ALLEN

F

lorida-bred Mucho Macho Man made it look easy. Taking on a field of ten in the Grade 1 $250,000 Awesome Again, Gary Stevens and Mucho Macho Man left no doubt as to who was the best at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Mucho Macho Man, owned by Reeves Thoroughbred Racing of Atlanta, Ga., and trained by Kathy Ritvo, started the race in post ten, as far away from the rail as he could get. As the field ran past the grandstand for the first time, Mucho Macho Man was in fifth place, four-wide as the pack entered the clubhouse turn.

Fortunately for Mucho Macho Man, three of the four horses ahead of him were speedballs that were going to have a difficult time getting the distance.

Summer Hit set a sizzling opening quarter of :22.95 for the mile-and-an-eighth race. Behind Summer Hit were Chief Havoc and Soi Phet. The 2012 Haskell Invitational winner, Paynter, was in fourth.

As they entered the far turn, Chief Havoc began to move up on Summer Hit and briefly grabbed the lead by a head while Mucho Macho Man was rolling on the outside and passing Soi Phet to take third.

Mucho Macho Man was five-wide as he en-

Mucho Macho Man much the best in G1 Awesome Again

26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

tered the stretch, but the extra running distance did not hurt his performance. With the speedballs tiring and drifting away, his only competition was Paynter. While Mucho Macho Man took the far turn with ease, Paynter seemed to struggle. By the time they hit the top of the stretch, Mucho Macho Man was cruising while Paynter was trying to regain his stride.

Well clear of his rivals, Mucho Macho Man crossed the wire in 1:48.30, four-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Paynter.

Mucho Macho Man was bred in Florida by John D. Rio and Carole A. Rio of Ocala. He is by Macho Uno out of Ponche de Leona, by Ponche.

After his dominating performance in the Awesome Again, Gary Stevens believes that Mucho Macho Man has a very good chance at winning the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Classic in November.

“The horse only has to make up a neck from last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic and I think he’s a bigger, stronger horse than he was last year,” Stevens said.

Mucho Macho Man came in second to Fort Larned in the 2012 Breeders’ Cup Classic.

With the $150,000 gained from his win, Mucho Macho Man now has more than $2.5 million in career earnings. ■

MuchMachoMan_Florida Horse_template 10/16/13 4:01 PM Page 27

The horse only has “ to make up a neck from last year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic, and I think he’s a bigger, stronger horse than he was last year.

”

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

—jockey Gary Stevens

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 27

ClaimingCrown_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:22 PM Page 28

Crowning Gulfstream Park to hold the Claiming Crown through 2015

28 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

ClaimingCrown_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 11:56 AM Page 29

Culmination

By MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

T

he folks who run the Claiming Crown program know a good thing when they see it. As a result, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, which have operated the Claim-

ing Crown since its inception in 1999, have reached an agreement with Gulfstream Park to hold the popular event at the South Florida track through 2015.

The decision to commit to Gulfstream Park had to be an easy one for the HBPA and TOBA, as last year’s Claiming Crown event at the track — the first ever held in Florida — broke handle and purse records.

Thanks to Gulfstream Park’s commitment to bolster purses, for the first time in the Claiming Crown’s 14year history, no purse was less than $100,000 and the Claiming Crown Jewel, the program’s centerpiece race, was worth a stakes-record $200,000.

This year’s Claiming Crown purses will be even higher, reaching the $1-million mark for eight races, one more race than 2012. The additional race will be the 11⁄16-mile, $110,000 Iron Lady for fillies and mares who have started for a tag of $7,500 or less.

“The extra race and higher purses are a result of the commitment made to the Claiming Crown by Gulfstream Park and the Florida division of the HBPA,” said Phil Hanrahan, chief executive officer of the Lexington, Kentucky-based National HBPA. “Of course, we’re hoping the higher purses and additional race will attract horsemen who might not have considered participating to ship down and enter.”

Last year’s seven Claiming Crown races offered total purses of $850,000, and that beat the previous record of $650,000 for the same number of races at Canterbury Park in 2005. Gulfstream Park showed horsemen the

CLAIMING CROWN ATTENDANCE AND HANDLE

COGLIANESE PHOTOS

Year Date 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Site

Attendance

Handle

August 7 .....................Canterbury Park ......................11,380 ....................$2,229,815 August 6 .....................Canterbury Park .....................*13,922 ....................$2,460,775 August 4 .....................Canterbury Park ........................8,078 ....................$3,159,868 August 31 ...................Philadelphia Park ..........................N/A ....................$2,404,023 July 19........................Canterbury Park ......................10,420 ....................$3,241,926 July 17........................Canterbury Park ......................12,788 ....................$3,632,968 July 16........................Canterbury Park ......................10,515 ....................$2,321,941 July 15........................Canterbury Park ......................11,644 ....................$2,708,902 August 4 .....................Ellis Park...................................6,611 ....................$4,906,095 August 2 .....................Canterbury Park ......................10,188 ....................$2,771,947 July 25........................Canterbury Park ......................11,324 ....................$2,872,459 July 24........................Canterbury Park ......................11,473 ....................$2,180,220 December 3.................Fair Grounds .................................N/A ....................$4,222,129 December 1 ..................Gulfstream Park............................9,112 ..................*$12,216,450 *Denotes Claiming Crown record THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 29

ClaimingCrown_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:23 PM Page 30

“We’re hoping that some of the excitement we started building at Gulfstream last year continues into money, and they responded. The 2012 Crown races drew 78 entries (11.1 per race), compared to 37 in the five races the year before (7.4 per race), and 49 for six races in 2010 (8.2 per race).

Also, wagering on last year’s Claiming Crown card reached $12,216,450, an increase of 149 percent over the previous record of $4,906,095 established at Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky, in 2007.

“Gulfstream Park and The Stronach Group are proud of the Claiming Crown’s record success last winter at our facility,” said Gulfstream president Tim Ritvo. “Due to that success and our partnerships with NHBPA, FHBPA and TOBA, we were able to negotiate a three-year agreement.

Having the Claiming Crown is great for Gulfstream, great for horsemen, great for fans, and super for the industry.” ******** An attorney and retired U.S. Army Brigadier General, Hanrahan has been CEO of the National HBPA since December 2011. A licensed trainer himself in the early 1990s, he understands the importance of a solid purse program.

“Owners and trainers look for races they think they can win, and if they have a choice between a race they can be competitive in with a $50,000 purse, or a race they can be competitive in with a $100,000 purse, most of the time they’ll choose the $100,000 race,” Hanrahan said. “Our basic claiming conditions have stayed the same, but these purse increases at Gulfstream are giv-

FLORIDA-BRED WINNERS OF PAST CLAIMING CROWN RACES Since its inception in 1999, a total of 17 Florida-breds have won Claiming Crown races.

Year Race

Winner

Breeder

2012 $100,000 Rapid Transit Stakes 2010 $75,000 Glass Slipper Stakes

Bernie The Maestro My Irish Girl

Sabine Stable Sienna Farms LLC

2009 $50,000 Iron Horse Stakes $75,000 Rapid Transit Stakes $75,000 Glass Slipper Stakes

Bright Hall You’re My Boy Blue Frisco Fox

Emory A. Hamilton Marty Hershe & Carol Hershe Kenneth H. Davis & Sherry R. Mansfield

2008 $75,000 Rapid Transit Stakes

Eagle Storm

Freddie Hyatt

2007 $100,000 Tiara Stakes $150,000 Jewel Stakes

Unplugged Miami Sunrise

Elsie W. O’Connor DJJ Racing

2006 $50,000 Iron Horse Stakes $100,000 Tiara Stakes $150,000 Jewel Stakes

Distinct Vision Tens Holy Spirit Me My Mine

Suzanne Snell Collins Myron Wilson MD Jacks or Better Farm Inc.

2005 $50,000 Iron Horse Stakes $100,000 Tiara Stakes

My Extolled Honor Inhonorofjohnnie

Mike Meeks Ron Skrumbellos & Lori Skrumbellos

2002 $50,000 Iron Horse Stakes

Ruskin

J.R. Cavanaugh

2000 $100,000 Emerald Stakes

P.D. Lucky

F.L. Maloy

1999 $50,000 Iron Horse Stakes $75,000 Glass Slipper Stakes

A Point Well Made You’re A Lady

F.W. Hooper Stanley Ersoff

30 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

CLAIMING CROWN PURSES Year

Track

1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Canterbury Park ................$560,000 ....................6 Canterbury Park ................$560,000 ....................7 Canterbury Park ................$550,000 ....................6 Philadelphia Park...............$550,000 ....................6 Canterbury Park ................$550,000 ....................6 Canterbury Park ................$550,000 ....................6 Canterbury Park ................$650,000 ....................7 Canterbury Park ................$600,000 ....................7 Ellis Park ...........................$600,000 ....................7 Canterbury Park ................$600,000 ....................7 Canterbury Park ................$600,000 ....................7 Canterbury Park ................$500,000 ....................6 Fair Grounds......................$425,000 ....................5 Gulfstream Park.................*$850,000...................7

Purses No. of Races

*Denotes Claiming Crown record

ing all Claiming Crown participants a chance to earn part of an even larger purse.”

Another advantage of the three-year commitment to Gulfstream, according to Hanrahan, is the large number of potential Claiming Crown participants residing in the state during the winter months.

“The nice weather in December, as well as the large horse population at Gulfstream, Calder,and Tampa Bay Downs, make Florida a good place to have an event like this,” Hanrahan said. “I’m not saying that Gulfstream Park will be a permanent home for the Claiming Crown, but it would be difficult — but not impossible — for another track to be as accommodating as Gulfstream, with comparable facilities and with a horsemen’s group willing to put this kind of purse money on the table.

“The commitment of Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA is critical to the success of the Claiming Crown,” he added.

Make no mistake, Gulfstream Park has been an enthusiastic Claiming Crown host. During the track’s 2013-14 meet, the Crown will be part of a record $10.75-million stakes schedule that consists of 61 stakes, topped by one of the top Triple Crown preps in the country, the Grade 1, $1-million Besilu Stables Florida Derby in March.

Gulfstream Park will also play host to the Florida Sunshine Millions, when state-breds will compete in six stakes worth a total of $1.3 million on Jan. 18. Also, last September the Florida Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders’ Association announced that Florida Million Day 2014, with its eight Florida-bred stakes worth $1 million in purses, will move to Gulfstream and be renamed Sunshine Million Preview Day. *********** The idea for the Claiming Crown was hatched in the late 1990s by then-TOBA president Drew Couto, and it was nurtured along by Randy Sampson, the chief exec-

ClaimingCrown_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:23 PM Page 31

—Phil Hanrahan

”

this season. We’d like the Claiming Crown to become a day that people circle on their calendars. utive officer of Canterbury Park in Minnesota, and Minnesota HBPA president Tom Metzen. Canterbury has played host to more Claiming Crown events — 10 — than any other track.

Since the first running of the Claiming Crown in 1999, several one-time claimers have used Crown success as a stepping stone for bigger things. For example, Furthest Land, a Smart Strike gelding racing for Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey, ran fourth in the $150,000 Claiming Crown Jewel in ‘09, but he went on to win the $200,000 Kentucky Cup Classic Stakes (G2) at Turfway Park, and the $1-million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita later in the year.

Nationally prominent owners who’ve won leadingowner titles at several tracks, including Saratoga, Keeneland, and Churchill Downs, the Ramseys teamed with trainer Mike Maker to win four of last year’s seven Claiming Crown races.

Chasing Tails Stables’ Starship Truffles, a Kentuckybred daughter of Ghostzapper, parlayed a convincing four-length win in last year’s seven-furlong, $100,000 Claiming Crown Glass Slipper into victories in this year’s $350,000 Princess Rooney Handicap (G1) and $55,000 Musical Romance Stakes at Calder.

Florida-breds have also had success in Claiming Crown races. Bernie The Maestro, a 5-year-old gelding

by Bernstein owned by the Ramseys and bred by Sabine Stable, became the 17th Florida-bred to win a Claiming

CLAIMING CROWN RACES FOR 2013 Purse

Name

$200,000 $125,000 $125,000 $110,000 $110,000 $110,000 $110,000 $110,000

Jewel..........................1 1/8 m. ...................$35,000 Emerald ......................1 1/16 m. (T).............$25,000 Tiara (F&M) .................1 1/16 m. (T).............$25,000 Rapid Transit ...............7 fur..........................$16,000 Glass Slipper (F&M) .....7 fur..........................$16,000 Express.......................6 fur............................$7,500 Iron Horse ...................1 1/16 m. ...................$7,500 Iron Lady (F&M)...........1 1/16 m. ...................$7,500

Distance Claiming Price

Crown race when he scored a 2 3/4-length victory in the seven-furlong, $100,000 Rapid Transit Stakes.

“With the kind of purse money available this year, we’re hoping horsemen in places like California and New York will say, ‘Yeah, it’s going to cost me some money to ship my horse to Florida, but I have a live horse and there’s enough money in the purse that I’m going to go down there and take a shot at it,’” said Hanrahan. “More claiming races than any other level are run in the U.S. every year, and events like the Claiming Crown give the men and women who own and train these types of horses a chance to run for substantial purse money. To some extent, it also gives them an opportunity to showcase their own personal training skills.

“We’re also hoping that some of the excitement we started building at Gulfstream last year continues into Bernie The Maestro this season,” he added. “We’d like the Claiming Crown to (far left) winning the 2012 become a day that people circle on their calendars.” ■ Rapid Transit Stakes

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 31

LittleMike_Florida Horse_template 10/16/13 4:09 PM Page 32

32 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

LittleMike_USE_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 11:57 AM Page 33

By DAVE ALLEN rying to beat a horse from the red-hot Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey barn is tough enough. Trying to beat three Ramsey horses in a race seemed next to impossible.

With the Ramsey trio bet down to 4-5 odds, the wagering public certainly felt so.

Unfortunately for the Ramseys, Priscilla Vaccarezza’s Florida-bred Breeders’ Cup champion Little Mike was strong enough to hold-off a pair of Ramsey horses at the wire to win the mile-and-a-half $600,000 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic (Grade 1) by a nose at Belmont Park on Saturday, Sept. 28.

With a three-horse coupled entry of Big Blue Kitten, Real Solution, and Joes Blazing Aaron, the Ramsey barn was the odds-on favorite to win the race. Little Mike, ridden by Mike Smith, bred by Carlo Vaccarezza of Parkland, Fla., and trained

by Dale Romans, was 7-1 on the tote board. Going into the race, Smith figured that the best plan for Little Mike was to keep him off the pace.

“I was handicapping the race and after looking at it I told [trainer] Dale [Romans] that Little Mike’s best race, in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last year, was when he was off the pace,” said Smith. “So I decided I was going to ride this horse the way Ramon [Dominguez] rode him [in the Breeders’ Cup]. I can mimic all these jocks; I know how they all hold their hands. Ramon always puts one on the neck and one way out. So I did it, and he kept running and running and running.”

From the break, it was clear that the Ramsey barn had a strategy for their three

T

Little Mike (center) wins the G1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic by a nose

COGLIANESE PHOTO

horses. Joes Blazing Aaron, ridden by Rajiv Maragh, went to the front, while stable mates Big Blue Kitten and Real Solution hung back in dead last. Little Mike would have to chase a rabbit and hope he had enough to hang on late.

Joes Blazing Aaron set the pace with an opening quarter-mile of :23.92, a length-and-a-half ahead of King Kreesa, Nutello, and Imagining. Little Mike was in fifth, two lengths behind the second flight of horses.

Rounding the far turn, as Little Mike was making his move, so were the Ramsey pair of Big Blue Kitten and Real Solution. Weaving through the pack, they were ready to make a run as the rest of the field tired.

Little Mike was leading the charge down the stretch, but the Ramsey pair had him in their crosshairs. Real Solution challenged Little Mike from the outside, while Big Blue Kitten was right behind the leader along the rail.

After Little Mike fended off Real Solution on the outside, Big Blue Kitten surged forward along the inside. The two were neck-and-neck, and then nose-tonose, when they finally hit the wire. Too close to call, the photo finish sign lit up.

When the mile-and-a-half race was finished, the photo showed that it all came down to a head-bob. Little Mike’s head bobbed forward as Big Blue Kitten’s head bobbed backwards, and it was just enough to give Little Mike, the son of Spanish Steps out of Hay Jude, by Wavering Monarch, the win by a nose. ■

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 33

OBS_FallMixed_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:27 PM Page 34

FLORIDA NEWS

Final OBS Session Finishes Off Successful Year T

By BROCK SHERIDAN

he Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company finished off a successful year Oct. 16 when the Ocala, Fla., auction house ended the Open Session of their two-day Fall Mixed Sale with continued increases.

The Open Session sold 153 horses that grossed $1,482,100 which was an increase of 18.2% compared to last year’s Open Session that sold 164 horses for $1,212,500. The average price was $9,687 this year compared to $7,393 a year ago, a 31% increase.

One of the only statistics to fall all year at OBS was the median of the final day that dropped to $5,000 from $5,100 a year ago. The buy-back rate was 17.7% Wednesday compared to 20.8% in 2012.

At the Oct. 15 Consignor Preferred session, 118 horses sold for a total of $2,666,000 compared with 123 horses selling for a total of $1,740,900 at last year’s Consignor Preferred portion. That computed to a 59.6% increase in average from $14,154 in 2012 to $22,593 this year.

The top seller during the Consignor Preferred session was hip number 73, a weanling filly by the hot sire Kitten’s Joy and out of the Proud Citizen mare Brickyard Gal that brought $110,000 from buyer Carrie Brogden, representing Machmer Hall. Machmer Hall Thoroughbreds LLC is made up of Brogden, her husband Craig and Sandy Willwerth, DVM and is located in Paris, Ky. “We don’t usually go this high for a weanling,” Brogden said after the purchase. “But she is a Kitten’s Joy and she really just jumped out at me when I first saw her. She is just so attractive and athletic and has a real presence.”

The dark bay or brown filly was consigned by Top Line Stables LLC, Agent, and comes from the family of stakes winner Moviesta, a Group 2 winner of the Betfred King George Stakes in Great Britain.

Hip number 91 brought the second highest price and was the top selling Florida-bred on the first day, dropping the gavel at $75,000.

The weanling filly by Discreet Cat and the War Chant mare De Danann was consigned by Kerri Szegi, Agent and Jumping Jack Racing signed the ticket on her. De Danann is a half-sister to Regal Engagement, winner of the 2006 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (Grade 2) at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore; and graded stakes-placed Miss Hellie, who was third in the 2004 Orchid Handicap (G2) at Gulfstream Park. see OBS page 49

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

The top seller, hip number 73, a weanling filly by the hot sire Kitten’s Joy and out of the Proud Citizen mare Brickyard Gal, brought $110,000 from buyer Carrie Brogden representing Machmer Hall.

34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Ad_Bleed_Check_Layout 1 10/17/13 11:00 AM Page 1

Powell_Lonny_Q&A_Florida Horse_template 10/22/13 8:00 AM Page 36

A

s CEO and Executive Vice President, Lonny Powell is well into his second year at the helm of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Association. He recently sat down with Editor-in-Chief Brock Sheridan to discuss his thoughts and comments on the FTBOA today and in the future as well as the Florida and national thoroughbred racing industry.

Career Background: President and CEO, Santa Anita Park; President and CEO, Racing Commissioners International; Presi-

LP: I’d reduce it down to three words: busy, complex, productive. From an Association perspective, we took on a number of objectives as part of our program to modernize and enhance our operations, build upon our programs and services and increase our relevance to both our members and the Florida industry. A few of the most notable changes would include our continued work in re-tooling our board elections process to where it is now one of the most wide open in the industry and certainly in the history of our Association.

From a sheer added responsibility perspective, our taking on the launch and administration of our new Florida Sire Stakes racing program has added a whole new dimension to our daily business operations.

My internal priority of escalating our focus on enhancing our member services and communications programs, which my administration has really re-tooled from ground zero over the last year plus, has been a consuming but very worthwhile endeavor. Of all the things we have done at FTBOA since my arrival, it is the embracing of a dedicated culture of member service and value and the related buy-in by our team and board that I am the most proud of.

If you are a membership association like we are, as are our peer breeders and horsemen’s groups across the country as well as national organizations like some I have been heavily involved in the past such as Racing Commissioners International, National Thoroughbred Racing Association, Thoroughbred Racing Asso-

JOHN D. FILER PHOTO

Q & A with FTBOA CEO Lonny Powell, Ocala, Fla. dent, Turf Paradise Race Course; President, Multnomah Greyhound Park; Executive Vice President – Racing Operations, Magna Entertainment; Executive VP/COO, Longacres Park; Director, State of Arizona Department of Racing, Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts; Director, University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program; Vice President – Regulatory Affairs/ Chief Compliance Officer/ Policy and Internal Review Chair, Youbet.com; FTBOA CEO & Executive VP since January, 2012 (includes CEO & Publisher-Florida Equine Publications, Executive Director- Florida Thoroughbred Charities, Executive VP-Ocala Thoroughbred Racing) TFH: As 2013 (your second year with the reins of the FTBOA) nears conclusion, how would you sum up the year from an Association, industry & personal perspective?

36 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

LIZ LAMONT PHOTO

Powell_Lonny_Q&A_Florida Horse_template 10/22/13 8:00 AM Page 37

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 37

Powell_Lonny_Q&A_Florida Horse_template 10/22/13 10:39 AM Page 38

Lonny Powell

38 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

of collateral issues associated with the unfortunate competitive and self-inflicted dates overlap between Gulfstream and Calder. Even though we have such a good foundation to work from as a thoroughbred industry, including Florida being the only top 10 thoroughbred breeding market in North America to actually show an increase in foal crop in 2012 and 2013, as well as some great racing and sales action, so much of our time and energy this year had to be redirected and devoted to working and talking through the South Florida race track issues in addition to our ongoing and carried-forward irritations from last year of rogue racing permits and the almost laughable (if it didn’t represent such a huge threat to our industry at the time) ill-conceived and advised failed attempt by others to push the smokescreen of pari-mutuel quarter horse barrel racing which–I’m pleased to say is imploding as we speak.

Personally, I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate the people, places, horses and events associated with living and working in Florida and Ocala even more as each and every month goes by. I really feel like I was destined to be here. It’s also impossible to get bored or satisfied – that’s for sure!

Though the industry has its moments that make you scratch your head at times, often due to its blend of unchained competitiveness, unique complexities, regulatory black holes and legendary eccentricity, I find it to be a great industry of quality and pride with much opportunity and upside.

TFH: Expand on the South Florida comments?

LP: Dealing with the competitive power struggle between not only Gulfstream and Calder, but Tampa as well, was not necessarily something we were looking for or encouraging in 2013 (and ’14). That being said, we sure didn’t get all passive and stand on the sidelines and just complain and veg-out, which would have been easy to do. We continued to try to mediate and facilitate the issues while not taking sides or trying to put anyone out of business, which is not the job or mission of FTBOA or in the best interest of the Florida breeder or thoroughbred industry.

Though we have little control over racetrack competitive economic conflicts like this one, I think most would tell you we (FTBOA) have proven to be a fairly relevant keeper of peace, focus and integrity during these trying times and have done our part to offer our LIZ LAMONT PHOTOS

Q& A with FTBOA CEO

ciation, Thoroughbred Owners’ and Breeders’ Association and the like – I cannot think of a greater priority than to continually work to serving, supporting and retaining your current membership while reaching out and recruiting potential new members.

I really don’t think FTBOA was even scratching the surface on this when I first arrived. So I made it priority one for our office staff. I hired a top-drawer directreport executive with experience in the area and created a department with an experienced support staffer around her. We ramped up our member contact and support programs ranging from direct access for questions and feedback, streamlining, automating and making more user-friendly required forms and paperwork, providing contacts and information, facilitating and solving concerns, adding member info space to our publications and websites, surveying our members for their communications preferences and then designing our primary communications platforms around those member preferences. I also added two open meetings per year for the membership with direct access to board, officers and staff members just for the sake of information sharing and exchange of ideas. I would be remiss to not also mention the considerable effort we and our talented Florida Equine Publications crew have invested in re-tooling, modernizing and expanding the usefulness and relevance of our four publications – The Florida Horse, Wire to Wire, Wire to Wire.net and Horse Capital Digest.

The monthly Florida Horse now goes to a national audience and has a number of new and expanded features of interest to FTBOA members and nonmembers alike. Our daily Wire to Wire is a home delivered staple to many of our members and thoroughbred racing enthusiasts in our back yard, Marion County, while Horse Capital Digest provides a bridge for our breed and industry over to the show horse discipline which is huge in Ocala as well as the other breeds.

We also have worked hard to create more member events like a Holiday Charity Open House as well as a multitude of value-added perks and discounts from hotels, restaurants and vendors that make you want to carry an FTBOA member card at all times From an industry standpoint, we, like virtually all the stakeholder leadership, have been quite consumed in dealing with the ramifications, complications and myriad

Powell_Lonny_Q&A_Florida Horse_template 10/22/13 8:00 AM Page 39

often requested perspective and support as one of the war in the hopes that Calder management and ownertrue “what’s best for the industry” -centric parties at the ship would develop a game plan that would facilitate table. Until both tracks agree to some type of coopera- some type of a settlement, truce or good-faith effort to tive racing week where there is limited, if any, overlap of put a stop to this overlap craziness generated by a more live days, we will remain heavily engaged in beating that risk-tolerant and resourced Gulfstream. We also remain drum. We really believe such a common-sense solution strong in our belief that the Florida thoroughbred ownwould be a huge “win-win” for our industry in terms of ers and industry remain best served with a viable and economics and viability for all. They are really not that Personally, I’ve come to enjoy and appreciate the people, places, horses and far apart from making this events associated with living and working in Florida and Ocala even more as each happen. As they say, “where and every month goes by. I really feel like I was destined to be here. It’s also imposthere is a will…”

TFH: There’s been quite a sible to get bored or satisfied – that’s for sure! bit made by both Gulfstream and particularly Calder about the FTBOA funding two operating Calder racing somewhere in the yearly race major Florida-bred programs to be hosted by Gulfstream dates mix. That being said, the heat has really shifted that had their initial or partial roots at Calder (the Florida heavily onto Calder’s shoulders as they appeared to Sire Stakes and the Sunshine Millions Preview). While stumble so badly out of the gate in both their negotiaGulfstream celebrated, Calder went from quiet to quite tions and competitive strategies against an over-lapping vocal. One reporter referred to the hosting of these major Gulfstream. It was really surprising and sad to see how Florida-bred racing programs at Gulfstream, on top of little of a plan they really seemed to have beyond delay, their dominance over Calder in the marketplace, handle righteous indignation, and otherwise just wishing things and facilities, as potential “knock-out punches” to Calder. away. They even rejected our FTBOA overtures to facilitate a cooperative racing week discussion with an Would you care to comment?

LP: I’d love to comment for the record. Most indus- open-minded (albeit, now dominating) Gulfstream try stakeholder leadership will tell you that no single in- which would have surely demonstrated some degree of dustry organization (FTBOA) or individual (myself) caring for their own industry and future and the closest tried to keep more of a sense of neutrality and hope for thing to a win-win for customers and horsemen under a reasonable compromise during most of this overlap present circumstances.

“

”

Lonny Powell and son Sean greet Gil Campbell while at Calder.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 39

Powell_Lonny_Q&A_Florida Horse_template 10/22/13 8:00 AM Page 40

Q& A with FTBOA CEO

Lonny Powell

This all being said, once it became certain in our eyes they run live). This is part of the collateral economic imthat both tracks were stubbornly set to go head-to-head pact that the dates overlap in the Miami area has caused. year-round, we did the only right thing and put our newly FTBOA has no control or say over track dates–we must retooled and now named Florida Sire Stakes up for pro- just react accordingly to whatever they do. We cautioned posal for all three tracks of which two, Calder and Gulf- Calder multiple times that such mathematical corrections stream, announced their intentions to make proposals in subsidy funding by us would likely be made, particubased on both economic and marketing components. larly if Calder decided to cut stakes purses due to poor While Calder initially went to what seems to be their handle once the overlap with Gulfstream started. In con“Plan A” on almost everything these days–wait, stall, junction with the FTBOA once again excessively funddelay and wish for good things ahead–Gulfstream put ing the Calder meet (something we could no longer do forth a proposal worth $300,000 more to FSS program now that we had two tracks in South Florida running at purses with all the marketing and promo whistles and the same time versus the non-overlap of previous years). buzzers for which they have become known for with other We can only guess that Calder must have either ignored events like the ClaimOnce it became certain in our eyes that both tracks were stubing Crown and Eclipse Awards. Meanwhile, bornly set to go head-to-head year-round, we did the only right Calder proposed basi- thing to do and put our newly retooled and now named Florida Sire cally the same pro- Stakes up for proposal for all three tracks. gram they have offered in the past with nothing else really attention-getting. Gulf- or tried to wish-away this economic reality. Furthermore, stream sent an entire team to Ocala to make their FSS and much to our surprise, when they cut purses in Seppresentation to the FTBOA Racing & Stakes Committee tember it included all of their purse account contribution while Calder called and cancelled their presentation to us to their Nov. 9 Florida Million card–just leaving our FTBOA good-faith funding in these stakes with no conon a separate date the night before.

Gulfstream’s creation of the new Sunshine Millions sultation in advance. Rather than being left holding the Preview for their calendar is what a creative thorough- bag, we decided as an FTBOA Racing/Stakes Commitbred track does with the funding we are authorized to tee to discuss with our executive committee and then full award to them for special races per statute. Now that board and eliminate our now sole funding for that speGulfstream also runs in the summer, they are also entitled cific card of Calder stakes races while cutting our losses to purse subsidies from FTBOA–not just Calder and only as responsible stakeholders.

As far as the rather steamy press comments made by Calder (Tampa Bay Downs also gets this funding when Calder in reaction under pressure about their need to reevaluate their racing programs development of Floridabreds as well as stalls this winter for 2-year-olds, we take such comments very seriously and have sent a letter to them from the racing/stakes committee asking for some more clarification. Even if Calder decides to water-down its future racing programs, we will still work with them to fund certain races for Florida-breds as appropriate on their actual intent so we can make our plans. Gulfstream has already assured us that they will pick-up any possible slack Calder may choose to leave on the table for Florida-breds and build upon those opportunities with enthusiasm. It’s just a shame to see Calder potentially opt for another self-destructive move like that.

Based just on these two developments and getting back to the boxing parlance used by our friends in the media to describe the Calder versus Gulfstream dates fight, at least when it comes to trying to improve racing for Florida-breds, Calder didn’t take a knock-out punch, they simply refused to get off of their corner stool. We really hope they will find a “Plan B” and bring their fa-

“

”

40 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Powell_Lonny_Q&A_Florida Horse_template 10/22/13 8:00 AM Page 41

nomic support to our members such as increased breeders awards percentages/bonuses and stallion awards, etc.; and (f) working with the FHBPA and others toward a more mutually uniform medication regulatory policy here in Florida.

We also anticipate making a broadcast media splash in a fairly big way (details to be announced). We are also working hard on developing even more international commerce opportunities for our state-breds, members and local community via some significant relationship building with Argentina, other South American markets and Japan while continuing to nurture the strong business we and OBS do with South Korea and others.

TFH: What do you see as the greatest challenges and opportunities for Florida Owners & Breeders in the next few years?

LP: Again, we can never collectively pursue to the fullest with appropriate focus and rigor our opportunities until we have a solution on the Gulfstream-Calder com-

LIZ LAMONT PHOTOS

cility and racing back in play with the rest of the Florida industry. FTBOA still strongly believes that Florida racing is best served by a viable seasonal Calder racing as a complement to a seasonal Gulfstream. No matter whose side, if any, you are on, the results of this competitive battle to date would lead most rational observers to believe that a very likely outcome will see Gulfstream now running a longer season than Calder based on cold competitive realities versus raw emotion.

Our bottom-line at FTBOA–and we believe the Florida horsemen are basically in agreement with us on this–is we want Calder to have a meaningful and productive seat at the Florida thoroughbred industry table right now, but none of us can force them to sit. It must be their choice. This doesn’t mean Gulfstream, Tampa, the FHBPA, regulators or ourselves, the breeders, are a simple cake-walk to deal with and that we don’t disagree and debate with each other.

Still, we do need to work together and have some giveand-take as much as we reasonably can.

TFH: What were the most important things achieved by the FTBOA as an organization this year and what do you see as your priority goals for the Association next year?

LP: I think I pretty much addressed the highlights of some of the most notable achievements this past year as part of question one from both an Association and Industry perspective.

As far as next year, I hope to see the FTBOA either be the lead or a primary contributor in a myriad of goal and opportunity pursuits including: (a) being a key player in a very important legislative session; (b) continuing to work with the tracks on more cooperation, stability, and success; (c) having a big launch at Gulfstream on our new Florida Sire Stakes series and Championship Day; (d) receiving completed feasibility studies and proposals or related development work for our non-profit racing permit and poker casino for Marion County (Ocala Thoroughbred Racing [OTR]); (e) continuing to navigate the economic complexities of supplementing the purses at two overlapping Miami tracks while working toward bringing back additional and enhanced eco-

petitive front. Beyond that hopefully temporary distraction, we can’t lose sight of attempts that may be coming down the road to expand gaming in our state and where we should get our share as a thoroughbred industry or, at least, defeating any move to weaken our economics or limit our ability to grow. We boldly and collectively as a Florida horse industry need to work together to improve the economics of breeding and racing for our state.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 41

Powell_Lonny_Q&A_Florida Horse_template 10/22/13 8:00 AM Page 42

Lonny Powell

I am totally “ serious here, I am convinced that there is no better place to breed, own, raise, condition, race, house and sell thoroughbreds than right here in beautiful sunny Florida. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of it!

”

42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

ture and Consumer Services Commissioner Adam Putnam has appointed me to the Board of the Florida Horse Park where I have been elected as an officer and executive committee member as well as the equine representative to the Board of the State Animal Industry Technical Council. Also, the State Farm Bureau has designated me as an equine technical advisor. As a former vo-ag student in high school, state Future Farmers of America president in college, Animal Science major as well as College of Agriculture faculty member at the University, I find it very rewarding at this point in my life to also be appreciated for my experience and expertise in agriculture.

TFH: Anything else you’d like to say to our members and readers before we close?

LP: First of all, I can’t say enough about the great level of support and confidence my staff and I receive from our officers, directors, committee chairs and so many of our members. That is really the foundation needed to try to achieve big things.

Secondly, my senior executive staff and advisors and

LIZ LAMONT PHOTO

Q& A with FTBOA CEO

TFH: You’ve spent much of your career on the national racing scene and seem to still remain engaged and respected in that arena. Give us your take on what’s going on nationally?

LP: First off and with no disrespect to our peers and friends in other states and regions, it still must be said that our Florida thoroughbred industry has as much, if not more, going for it combined with future potential as anyone out there. Some of that comes with “just being Florida” from our longtime top-tier breeding industry, robust sales activity and enormous equine infrastructure combined with our tourism, climate and flourishing major population centers. This plus racinos at our top Miami area tracks provides us with a lot of tools in our box.

Though our foal crop size may be larger than most and our caliber of racing, sires and mares quite respectable, we do share our country’s industry challenges of increasing the revenue pie for the broad spectrum of players, increasing our foal, stallion and broodmare numbers, retaining farms and improving economics for all while growing handle Lonny Powell with Gil and Marilyn Campbell and purses.

Much of our national industry appears to be going through continual contraction, consolidation and re-tooling with those that exhibit the greatest strength and flexibility appearing to have the best chance to survive, come out swinging and even prosper. To that extent, we in Florida aren’t that much different, just perhaps (and fortunately) a little ahead of the curve on a number of these things.

TFH: You are involved in a number of equine and agricultural activities for the State of Florida. Can you tell us a little bit more about these and how they tie-in to the Florida thoroughbred industry?

LP: One of the really pleasant experiences of my coming here to Florida is witnessing the recognition and awareness of the importance of Florida breeding and the FTBOA that is placed on us by our state government, community and agricultural sectors. My ag background and education from my days in Idaho and Arizona really get put to some good use. It is both rewarding and important to see the respect and input extended to the FTBOA and thoroughbred breeding at these important leadership and policy-making tables. Florida Agricul-

the hard working folks they supervise are first-rate and true team players that I find it a sincere pleasure to work with. I also must emphasize, for the most part (though we all “have our moments”), how much I appreciate the support and friendship I have had extended to me and our Association by the various industry and horse stakeholder leaders in Florida from the tracks to particularly the FHBPA who have been quite receptive to my approach of facilitating discussion, collaborating on solutions and strategically planning ahead. I really enjoy working with the Florida racing industry.

Finally, and I am totally serious here, I am convinced that there is no better place to breed, own, raise, condition, race, house and sell thoroughbreds than right here in beautiful sunny Florida. I am thrilled and honored to be a part of it! ■

TampaBayDowns_20132_14_Layout 1 10/18/13 11:12 AM Page 1

Live

Thoroughbred

Racing!

July 1, 2013—June 30, 2014 Saturday, December 7, 2013 $100,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from FB/FSP Stakes Fund)

Closing Saturday, November 23, 2013 For Two Year Olds Six Furlongs

The Inaugural Stakes

Saturday, December 7, 2013 $100,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from FB/FSP Stakes Fund)

Closing Saturday, November 23, 2013 For Fillies Two Year Olds Six Furlongs

The Sandpiper Stakes

Saturday, January 4, 2014 $100,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from FB/FSP Stakes Fund)

Closing Saturday, December 21, 2013 For Three Year Olds Seven Furlongs

The Pasco Stakes

Saturday, January 4, 2014 $100,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from FB/FSP Stakes Fund)

Closing Saturday, December 21, 2013

*

For Four Year Olds and Upward One Mile And One Sixteenth

Saturday, February 1, 2014 $150,000 Guaranteed

Saturday, April 5, 2014 $75,000 Guaranteed (Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

Saturday, January 25, 2014 $60,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, January 11, 2014 For Four Year Olds and Upward Six Furlongs

The Pelican Stakes Saturday, January 25, 2014 $150,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, January 11, 2014 For Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and Upward About One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)

The Endeavour Stakes - Grade III Saturday, January 25, 2014 $100,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, January 11, 2014 For Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and Upward About Five Furlongs (Turf)

The Lightning City Stakes - Listed Saturday, February 1, 2014 $100,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

Closing Saturday, January 18, 2014

For Fillies Three Year Olds One Mile And Forty Yards

The Suncoast Stakes

813-855-4401 Race Track Road, Oldsmar

Closing Saturday, January 18, 2014

For Four Year Olds and Upward About One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf) Saturday, February 8, 2014 $50,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, January 25, 2014 For Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and Upward Seven Furlongs

The Manatee Stakes

Saturday, February 22, 2014 $100,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

The Challenger Stakes

Closing Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Hilton Garden Inn/Hampton Inn & Suites Sprint For Four Year Olds and Upward Six Furlongs

Saturday, April 5, 2014 $75,000 Guaranteed (Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

Closing Saturday, March 22, 2014 For Three Year Olds Seven Furlongs

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Sophomore

Closing Saturday, February 8, 2014 For Four Year Olds and Upward Seven Furlongs

The Super Stakes

Closing Saturday, December 28, 2013 For Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and Upward Six Furlongs

For Three Year Olds One Mile And One Sixteenth

The Lambholm South Tampa Bay Stakes - Grade III

For Fillies Three Year Olds Seven Furlongs

The Minaret Stakes

Saturday, March 22, 2014 $60,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, March 8, 2014

The Sam F. Davis Stakes - Grade III

The Gasparilla Stakes Saturday, January 11, 2014 $50,000 Guaranteed

Saturday, February 1, 2014 $250,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

Closing Saturday, January 18, 2014

*

Saturday, March 1, 2014 $100,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, February 15, 2014 For Three Year Olds and Upward About Five Furlongs (Turf)

The Turf Dash - Listed Saturday, March 8, 2014 $350,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, February 22, 2014

The Tampa Bay Derby - Grade II First Four Finishers Earn Points For The Road To The Kentucky Derby For Three Year Olds One Mile And One Sixteenth

Saturday, April 5, 2014 $75,000 Guaranteed (Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

Closing Saturday, March 22, 2014

The Stonehedge Farm South Sophomore Fillies For Fillies Three Year Olds Seven Furlongs

Saturday, April 5, 2014 $75,000 Guaranteed (Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

Closing Saturday, March 22, 2014

For Three Year Olds About One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)

The Journeyman Stud Sophomore Turf Saturday, April 5, 2014 $75,000 Guaranteed (Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

Closing Saturday, March 22, 2014

Closing Saturday, February 22, 2014

For Fillies And Mares Three Year Olds and Upward About One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)

For Fillies Three Year Olds About One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)

Saturday, April 5, 2014 $75,000 Guaranteed (Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

Saturday, March 8, 2014 $200,000 Guaranteed (Includes $50,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

The Florida Oaks - Grade III Saturday, March 8, 2014 $150,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, February 22, 2014 For Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and Upward About One Mile And One Eighth (Turf)

The Hillsborough Stakes - Grade III Saturday, March 15, 2014 $50,000 Guaranteed

Closing Saturday, March 1, 2014 For Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and Upward One Mile And One Sixteenth

The Wayward Lass Stakes

The Distaff Turf

*

Closing Saturday, March 22, 2014

For Four Year Olds and Upward About One Mile And One Eighth (Turf)

The Besilu Stables Turf Classic

Tampa Bay Downs will offer a $1 million bonus to any horse which can win both the Sam F. Davis and Tampa Bay Derby in Tampa and then go on and win the Kentucky Derby.

AcceleratedEarningPower_Nov_Florida Horse_template 10/17/13 9:13 AM Page 44

he Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association supplements annually the stakes schedules at each of the Florida race tracks in an effort to further promote the Florida thoroughbred. The Florida Sire Stakes Program is part of this overall promotion.

The Sire Stakes program is open to horses registered with the FTBOA and by Florida stallions registered with the FTBOA who have met all eligibility requirements and made all required payments. The program consists of more than $2.2 million in purse awards supplemented by FTBOA for two-year old and three-year old races and includes the lucrative Florida SIRE Stakes – a six race series for two-year olds. In 2013, the program represents $640,000 in purses at Gulfstream Park and $150,000 at Tampa Bay Downs. In 2012, it represented the $1 million Florida Stallion Stakes and $430,000 in purses at Calder Race Course.

The $1 million Florida Sire Stakes consists of six 2-yearold races for Florida-bred colts and fillies. The races are: two 6 furlong races, two 7 furlong races, and two races at 1 1/16th. The series runs summer through fall at a Florida race track.

Rewarding Excellence The Florida Sire Stakes Program Promotes Florida-breds Starting with foals of 2012 that are eligible for the 2014 Florida Sire Stakes, the FTBOA will serve as the administrator for the Florida Sire Stakes series.

Foals are eligible for the Florida Sire Stakes series and two-year old and three-year old supplemental stakes program if: 1. The foal’s sire was an FTBOA-registered stallion standing in Florida when the foal was conceived, AND, 2. The foal is a Florida-bred registered with the FTBOA

3. The foal is kept eligible with payment of eligibility fees by the deadline(s) required

44 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

2014 Florida Sire Stakes Program Deadlines & Payments (Foals of 2012) Includes eligibility in Florida Sire Stakes series, two-year old and 2015 three-year old supplemental stakes 2011 – Stallion registration: Before/on June 1 $1,000; June 2 through August 1 - $2,000

2012 - No weanling payment required 2013 – No yearling payment required

2014 – Two-year-old payment required: Before/on January 15- $500; January 16 through February 28 - $1,000 2015 Florida Sire Stakes Program Deadlines & Payments (Foals of 2013) Includes eligibility in Florida Sire Stakes series, two-year old and 2016 three-year old supplemental stakes 2012 – Stallion registration: Before/on February 15 - $2,000; February 16 through August 1 $3,000; August 2 through November 15 - $10,000 2013 - No weanling payment required

2014 - Yearling payment required: Before/on May 15 - $250; May 16 through November 15 - $500

2015 – Two-year-old payment required: Before/on January 15- $250; January 16 through February 28 - $500 If the yearling payment or supplemental yearling payment was not paid in 2014, a onetime payment of $5,000 can be made by January 15, 2015 to maintain eligibility.

2016 Florida Sire Stakes Program Deadlines & Payments (Foals of 2014) Includes eligibility in Florida Sire Stakes series, two-year old and 2017 three-year old supplemental stakes 2013 – Stallion registration: Before/on February 15 - $2,000; February 16 through August 1 - $3,000; August 2 through November 15 - $10,000 2014 – No weanling payment required

2015 - Yearling payment required: Before/on May 15 - $250; May 16 through November 15 - $500 2016 – Two-year-old payment required: Before/on January 15- $250; January 16 through February 28 - $500 If the yearling payment or supplemental yearling payment was not paid in 2015, a one-time payment of $5,000 can be made by January 15, 2016 to maintain eligibility. continued on next spread

AcceleratedEarningPower_Nov_Florida Horse_template 10/17/13 9:14 AM Page 45

Advertisement

JOE DIORIO PHOTO (TAMPA BAY DOWNS / COGLIANESE PHOTO (GULFSTREAM PARK) COADY PHOTO (CALDER CASINO & RACE COURSE)

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBERR 2013 45

AcceleratedEarningPower_Nov_Florida Horse_template 10/17/13 9:19 AM Page 46

2013 FTBOA REGISTERED FLORIDA STALLIONS (for FTBOA registered foals of 2014) A.P. Warrior Adios Charlie American Spirit Awesome of Course Backtalk Belgravia Benny The Bull Big Bad Barnie Big Drama Biondetti BL's Appeal Brooks 'N Down Circular Quay City Place Cliff’s Catch Cool Coal Man Cowtown Cat Crown of Thorns Double Honor Exclusive Quality Factum Field Commission First Dude Flashstorm Forty Grams

General Quarters Get Rich Quick Gone Astray Gottcha Gold Graeme Hall Greatness Hal’s Image Hear No Evil High Cotton Imperialism In Summation Indy Wind Iqbaal J P's Gusto Kantharos Keyed Entry Kiss The Kid Leroidesanimaux Lifestyle Mach Ride Maltese Dog Mass Media Montbrook Motovato Overdriven

Personal Interest Pleasant Strike Put It Back Repent Revolving Saint Anddan Seeking Beauty Seeking the Dia Silver Tree Stratford Hill Sweet Return Telling Tequilazo The Green Monkey Threeandoh Thunder Moccasin Two Step Salsa United States Vineyard Haven Wagon Limit Wildcat Heir With Distinction Yesbyjimminy

2012 FTBOA REGISTERED FLORIDA STALLIONS (for FTBOA registered foals of 2013) A. P. WARRIOR ACT OF DUTY ADIOS CHARLIE AMERICAN SPIRIT AWESOME OF COURSE B L'S APPEAL B L'S A RUNNER BACK TALK BELGRAVIA BENNY THE BULL BIG BAD BARNIE

BIG DRAMA BRING THE HEAT BROOKS 'N DOWN BURNING ROMA CAUSEWAY'S KIN CHAPEL ROYAL CIRCULAR QUAY CITY PLACE COOL COAL MAN COWTOWN CAT CROWN OF THORNS

DA STOOPS DONERAILE COURT D'WILDCAT EXCLUSIVE QUALITY EXPRESS TOUR FACTUM FIELD COMMISSION FIRST DUDE FORTY GRAMS FULL MANDATE GENERAL QUARTERS

GET RICH QUICK GONE ASTRAY GOTTCHA GOLD GRAEME HALL GREATNESS HAL'S IMAGE HEAR NO EVIL HIGH COTTON HULL IMPERIALISM IN SUMMATION

INDIAN EXPRESS INDY WIND IT'S NO JOKE J P'S GUSTO KANTHAROS KEYED ENTRY KISS THE KID LEADING THE PARADE LEROIDESANIMAUX LOVE BULLY MACH RIDE

MAIMONIDES MASS MEDIA MONTBROOK MOTOVATO PLEASANT STRIKE POMEROY PUT IT BACK REPENT SAINT ANDDAN SARAVA SEEKING BEAUTY

SILVER TREE SIMON PURE SPELLBINDER STRAIGHT MAN STRONG CONTENDER SWEET RETURN TEUFLESBERG THE GREEN MONKEY THIS IS THAT THREEANDOH TWO STEP SALSA

UNFORGETTABLE MAX UNTUTTABLE VALUE PLUS VINEYARD HAVEN WAGON LIMIT WEKIVA SPRINGS WEST ACRE WILDCAT HEIR WITH DISTINCTION YESBYJIMMINY

2011 FTBOA REGISTERED FLORIDA STALLIONS (for FTBOA registered foals of 2012) A. P. WARRIOR ACT OF DUTY ADMIRAL'S CRUISE AMERICAN SPIRIT AWESOME OF COURSE B L'S A RUNNER B L'S APPEAL BELGRAVIA BENNY THE BULL BRING THE HEAT BURNING ROMA

BWANA CHARLIE CHAPEL ROYAL CIRCULAR QUAY CITY PLACE COMPRISE CONCERTO CONSOLIDATOR COOL COAL MAN COWTOWN CAT D'WILDCAT DA STOOPS

DONERAILE COURT EXCLUSIVE QUALITY EXPRESS TOUR FULL MANDATE GOTTCHA GOLD GRAEME HALL GREATNESS HAL'S IMAGE HE'S CRAFTY HEAR NO EVIL HIGH COTTON

IMPERIALISM IN SUMMATION INDIAN OCEAN INDY WIND IT'S NO JOKE J BE K KANTHAROS KEYED ENTRY KISS THE KID LEADING THE PARADE LEROIDESANIMAUX

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 46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

LOVE BULLY MACH RIDE MAIMONIDES MARK'S MIRAGE MASS MEDIA MONTBROOK MR. SEKIGUCHI MUSKET MAN PLEASANT STRIKE POMEROY PUT IT BACK

REY DE CAFE' SABRE D'ARGENT SAINT ANDDAN SARAVA SEEKING BEAUTY SHAKESPEARE SILVER TREE SIMON PURE SPELLBINDER STRAIGHT MAN STRONG CONTENDER

STRONG HOPE SUAVE SWEET RETURN TAKE ME OUT JOHN TEUFLESBERG THE GREEN MONKEY THREEANDOH TWO STEP SALSA UNTUTTABLE VALUE PLUS WAGON LIMIT

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

WEST ACRE WESTERN PRIDE WILDCAT HEIR WITH DISTINCTION YESBYJIMMINY

AcceleratedEarningPower_Nov_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:49 PM Page 47

Advertisement

32 YEARS OF THE FLORIDA STALLION STAKES

Jackson Bend

LISA PHOTO

In its 32 years, the Florida Stallion Stakes hosted 1,532 total individual runners in 220 races and awarded over $38.9 million. Florida-breds won 217 of the races. Just like other racing triples, the Florida Stallion Stakes three race sweep is a difficult feat. In its 32 year history, only 12 horses have won all three, while 37 horses won two of three.

Fort Loudon

LISA PHOTO

Number of Runners/Races Won

Series Sweeps 2013 .................Scandalous Act 2011 ......................Fort Loudon 2010.............Awesome Feather 2009 ...................Jackson Bend

1997...................Nancy’s Glitter 1995............................. Seacliff 1991.....................Naked Greed 1984 ............................... Smile

2008........................ Big Drama 2004.............Aclassysassylassy 2003...........................Sir Oscar 2000 .................... Express Tour

Eclipse Awards and Florida Stallion Stakes Winners Awesome Feather: swept 2010 FSS series; named 2-Year-Old Filly Champion Big Drama: swept 2008 FSS series; named 2010 Male Sprint Champion Holy Bull: won 1993 In Reality; named 1994 3-Year-Old Champion and Horse of the Year Not Surprising: won 1992 Dr. Fager; named 1995 Sprint Champion Brave Raj: won 1986 Susan’s Girl and My Dear Girl; named 1986 2-Year-Old Filly Champion Smile: swept 1984 FSS series; named 1986 Sprint Champion

Keeping it in the Family PALMER PHOTO

•My Nichole (1986 Desert Vixen winner) is the dam of Three Ring, who won the 1998 Susan’s Girl and My Dear Girl.

•Smile (swept the 1984 series) sired What A Cooker, who went on to win two-thirds of the 1990 series, the Dr. Fager (2nd div.) and the Affirmed.

•My Sweet Baby (1982 My Dear Girl winner) is the dam of 1987 Dr. Fager winner Break Par. •Lightning Forbes is the dam of Valid Forbes (2000 Desert Vixen and My Dear Girl) and Pharmstar (2001 Desert Vixen).

•Rive Gauche is the dam of French Gold (1984 Desert Vixen) and American Dreamer (1989 Dr. Fager).

•Riveting Drama is the dam of Big Drama (2008 In Reality, Affirmed, and Dr. Fager) and Queen Drama (2011 Susan’s Girl).

Awesome Feather

Record Times

LISA PHOTO

Dr. Fager Division – 6 furlongs - 2005 - In Summation 1:10.90 Desert Vixen Division – 6 furlongs - 2000 - Valid Forbes 1:11.26 Affirmed Division – 7 furlongs- 2000 - Express Tour 1:23.95 Susan’s Girl Division – 7 furlongs - 2000 - Silk Concorde 1:23.49 In Reality Division – 1 1/16 miles - 2000 - Kiss a Native 1:44.52 My Dear Girl Division – 1 1/16 miles - 2002 - Ivanavinalot 1:45.92

Big Drama

Top Owners Jacks or Better Farms, Inc. .....12 Gilbert Campbell ....................11 Frances Genter Stable...............7 Elkins, Herb J. & Ione ................6 Centaur Farms Inc.....................5 Bee Bee Stables Inc. .................4 F. & Garazi, S. Berens ................4 John Franks ..............................4 James Lewis, Jr. .......................4 Harry T Mangurian, Jr................4 Harold L. Queen.........................4 Dominic Vittese .........................4

Top Breeders of winners Farnsworth Farm .................*13 Jacks Or Better Farm, Inc. .....12 Ocala Stud Farm ....................11 Gilbert Campbell ....................11 Harry T Mangurian, Jr. ..............9 Arthur Appleton ........................9 Frances Genter Stable ..............7 Centaur Farms Inc. ...................6 John Franks .............................5 Lasater Farm ...........................5

* 2 in partnership

FSS historical data provided by Michele Blanco and Michael Costanzo of Calder Race Course.

Top Trainers of winners

Top Sires

Frank Gomez .........................14 Edward Plesa, Jr. ...................12 Stanley Gold ...........................12 Emanuel Tortora .....................11 Kathleen O’Connel ..................10 Luis Olivares ............................7

Valid Appeal ...........................10 Awesome of Course .................8 Baldski .....................................8 Notebook .................................7 Montbrook ...............................6

Top 5 Jockeys atop winners Jose Velez Jr. .........................14 Manoel Cruz ..........................12 Julio Garcia ..............................9 Gene St. Leon ..........................9 Gary Boulanger ........................7 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 47

MembershipUpdates_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:13 PM Page 36

FTBOAMEMBERSHIP

UPDATES

Keeping members informed FARM CITY WEEK PHOTO CONTEST – DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES EXTENDED TO NOVEMBER 8

The FTBOA is part of the national Farm City Week coalition promoting the commodities of Florida to those who may not be aware of their economic impact in the state from November 17 through November 24. The week features many activities and the FTBOA is hosting a photo contest with photos being accepted through November 8. For details on how to enter your photos, visit www.ftboa.com and go to the INFORMATION tab. Winning photos will be used in publications and on display in the FTBOA Museum and Gallery in Ocala.

NEW LOGO AND NEW MERCHANDISE

The FTBOA has developed a new logo and member merchandise available for purchase. Currently, the FTBOA has tshirts and hats, $15 each for members with FTBOA branding. There are also hats and

FTBOA MEMBERS HOLIDAY CHARITY OPEN HOUSE

The FTBOA is hosting an open house for members on December 4, from 6 pm to 9 pm at the offices in Ocala. Members and their guest bringing a canned good or new toy receive free admission. The donations go to local industry charities. The holiday reception includes favorite appetizers, complimentary beer and wine tickets, a coffee bar, festive music and a cash bar. Door prizes will be given away and best holiday–themed outfits win gifts including FTBOA new logo hats and shirts.

FTBOA member discount partners will be offering holiday discounts. Members are also invited to tour the Museum, Gallery, offices and print shop. Each member and first guest receive complimentary admission with their charity donation, additional guests are $5. Casual or holiday attire suggested. Parking will be available near the offices. For more information, call 352-629-2160.

48 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

t-shirts available for non-members promoting Florida-breds for $20 each. Items are available for sale currently in the FTBOA offices with a rollout online coming soon, along with more items. Members are encouraged to share their merchandise ideas as FTBOA expands its line.

MEMBERSHIP FEE INCREASE

Starting in 2014, the regular member fee will be $100, payable by March 1, 2014. Associate member fees will be $75.

Associate members are members who do not actively own a Florida thoroughbred or part-of during the membership year.

FTBOA has removed the late fee for membership dues. Services including discounts, mailings, publications and receipt of membership cards continues uninterrupted for members paying by March 1.

The FTBOA has not increased dues in al-

most 20 years and the increase was made to keep up with the costs associated with fulfilling memberships.

NEW MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES

In an effort to promote Florida thoroughbreds to youth, the FTBOA is now offering a student membership for $25 annually. Students members will receive educational information, volunteer opportunities, scholarship deadline information and qualify for FTBOA member discounts. The goal is to develop a youth FTBOA (full-time students under the age of 25, not registering horses) that can share the world of thoroughbred breeding and racing with others. Additional memberships include a corporate membership for businesses that currently support the industry or those that would like to be more involved with the industry. Corporate membership details will appear in next month’s issue.

SEPTEMBER WINNERS

Our September ad winner is Journeyman Stud. Each month the FTBOA gives away an ad to an FTBOA member that advertises in a Florida Equine Publication. Members also receive a fourth week free when they advertise in Business Place in any publication. The winners of the e-newsletter contest are Tim Mawhinney of Daylight Farm who won an FTBOA hat and Lynne Hohensee of Greystone Manor Farm who won an FTBOA t-Shirt.

Tammy Gantt, Director of Membership Services and Events, Contributing Editor

OBS_FallMixed_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:15 PM Page 49

FLORIDA NEWS OBS from page 34

JOE DIORIO PHOTO

BROCK SHERIDAN PHOTO

Red Bullet and is out of the Smarten mare The top selling broodmare on the first Queen St. West and is herself a stakes winafternoon brought the third highest price on ner having taken the 2008 Busanda Stakes the day as the 4-year-old Ribbon Taffy gar- at Aqueduct Race Course in New York.

Paint Me Red was consigned by TdM nered a final bid of $72,000 from Hunter Sales (Tristan and Valery de Valley Farm of Versailles, Ky., Meric), Agent of Ocala, Fla., as hip number 161. By Hard and was sold in foal to Quality Spun and out of Partyship, by Road, who set new track Premiership, Ribbon Taffy is a records at Gulfstream Park in half-sister to Barrier Reef, winboth the Florida Derby (G1) ner of the 2008 Whirlaway and Donn Handicap (G1) and Stakes and 2009 Stymie Handalso won the Woodward Stakes icap, both run at Aqueduct (G1), Metropolitan Handicap Race Course in New York. She (G1) and other graded stakes. is also a half-sister to stakesDuring the Open session, placed Artic Party and Kissin Party and is believed to be in Carrie Brogden repre- the top sellers were a mare by senting Machmer Hall. foal to Into Mischief, winner of Machmer Hall Thorough- Lion Heart and a weanling filly the 2007 CashCall Futurity breds LLC, bought the by Lion Heart that both lit up (G1) at Hollywood Park in preferred session topper the money board at $70,000. for $110,000.

The mare sold as hip numSouthern California.

Ribbon Taffy was consigned by Top ber 264 from the consignment of Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s SummerLine Sales LLC, Agent.

The fourth highest price of the Con- field and was sold in foal to High Cotton, signor Preferred session was Paint Me Red, who stands at Ocala Stud. Because I Like who started the day off with a bang as hip It is out of the stakes winning Lost Code number 1 by bringing $65,000 from buyer mare Code Blum, who is a half-sister to H & E Ranch. The 8-year-old mare is by Left Bank, winner of the 2002 Whitney Handicap (Grade 1) at Saratoga Race Hip number 359 lit up the board for $70,000.

Course; and stakes winners Marsheslew and Flag On The Play. Keith and Ginger Meyers Coteau Grove Farms in Sunset, La., signed the ticket on Because I Like It. Fort McCoy, Fla., resident Christine Hosier acting as an Agent, purchased hip number 359, a weanling filly by Wilburn and out of the Speightstown mare Milliondollarbill, a half-sister to Hollywood Breeders’ Cup Oaks (G2) winner Brooke Halo.

Hip number 291, a weanling colt by Northwest Stud stallion Gone Astray was the top selling Florida-bred during the Open session as Machmer Hall signed the ticket for $62,000. Out of the Donneraile Court mare Courtly Choice, a half-sister to stakes-placed Let’s Get Crackin and Hopewell Heart, the dark bay or brown colt was consigned by Perrone Sales Ltd., Agent. ■

on

Follow the FTBOA and Florida Equine Publications at twitter.com/Florida_Horse or tweet @Florida_Horse.

Like us on Facebook!

Don’t forget that FTBOA and FEP information, stories and updates can also be found on Facebook. You can “like” us at Facebook.com/thefloridahorse.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 49

GreatStateToBreed_Layout 1 9/30/13 12:27 PM Page 1

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

No tax on stallion seasons ■ No personal state income tax ■ No individual capital gains tax ■ Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaks for Florida horse farms ■ Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities ■ Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt ■ Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder ■ Ranks second in the U.S. for number of thoroughbred horses ■ National leader in veterinary and equine research ■

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

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

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

GreatStateToBreed_Layout 1 9/30/13 12:28 PM Page 2

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

Florida... the Best State for Business

PhilMetthews_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:18 PM Page 52

By JOANN GUIDRY

S

ometimes we head down one road, sure of our destination, only to take a fateful unexpected detour. Such was the case for Dr. Phil Matthews.

Today, Matthews is well known in the Florida thoroughbred industry as a veterinarian partner of Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital. As a small thoroughbred breeder, he has bred and raced numerous Florida-bred stakes horses. In addition, he has served on the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association board of directors since 2009, including as FTBOA president veered from an early career path for the past two years. And deto become involved in multiple facets of the Florida spite all this involvement and thoroughbred industry over the span of three decades. living in Ocala for 32 years, it was not his original destination.

Growing up in Reno, Nevada, Matthews had an early passion for cowponies and cattle ranches. And he was sure that his career path would include those components.

“I started riding horses when I was very young,” recalled Matthews. “I was always interested in cattle ranching and took every opportunity I could to be involved in that industry. Through high school and while I was attending the University of Nevada at Reno, I worked on ranches. I loved every aspect of it, from riding to working the cattle to putting up hay.”

After graduating from UNR, Matthews was accepted into Colorado State University’s Veterinary College in Fort Collins. The plan was to become a large animal veterinarian with the road leading back to Nevada to work in the cattle ranching industry. Then came the detour.

“While I was at CSU, I got the opportunity to do a lot of work with horses, specifically in the breeding program,” Matthews said. “I began to become more interested in equine work and the equine industry. And I began to think of a different career path.”

As fate would have it, Matthews’ wife Sam also played a significant

52 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

SERITA HULT PHOTOS

Dr. Phil Matthews

PhilMetthews_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:18 PM Page 53

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 53

PhilMetthews_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:18 PM Page 54

D r. P h i l M a t t h e w s role in the change of plans. The pair, who were high school sweethearts, married while both attended UNR. Sam, which is a lifelong nickname for Karen Matthews, graduated with a business degree from UNR. When the couple moved to Fort Collins, Sam got a job as an executive administrative assistant at the CSU Veterinary College’s Animal Reproductive Lab. “Sam was always my biggest supporter.

Through her position she helped open doors that provided me with opportunities at the Animal Reproductive Lab,” Matthews said. “I became very interested in equine reproduction and saw a career pursuing that specialty in the thoroughbred industry.”

Upon graduation, Matthews began making trips to the major thoroughbred industry states of Kentucky, Florida and California to explore the equine vet opportunities. During a visit to Ocala, he met Dr. John Peterson and Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, who each had their own private practices.

“Dr. Peterson offered me a job,” said Matthews. “But I told him that I really wanted to work for a group practice. I thought that would provide more opportunities to learn and to grow. So Dr. Peterson and Dr. Smith decided to form a partnership. I signed a contract as an associate veterinarian for Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital on the very same day they signed the partnership documents.

In fact, all the paperwork was drawn up and signed right at Dr. Peterson’s kitchen table.”

Founded in 1981, Ocala-based Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital operated from Peterson’s farm for nearly three years. A facility was built in 1984, the same year that Matthews also became a partner in the practice. In 1999, the Peterson & Smith Equine Reproduction Center opened in nearby Summerfield. Today, Peterson & Smith is located in Ocala and has grown to become a full-service equine veterinary hospital with 26 veterinarians on the current roster. Smith retired in 1993, ironically enough due to an allergy to horses. In 2007, Peterson retired from the partnership and became an ambulatory associate vet with the practice. In addition to Matthews, the practice partners currently include: Dr. Kevin Hahn, Dr. Don Slone, Dr. Faith Hughes, Dr. Bill Russell, Dr. Carol 54 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

The Right Detour Clark, Dr. Alan Riggs and Dr. Tim Lynch.

Matthews serves as president of the practice and director of the Peterson & Smith Equine Reproduction Center.

“The practice has been and continues to be everything and more than I could’ve hoped for,” said Matthews. “It’s been very satisfying and very gratifying to see it evolve into the outstanding full-service equine vet practice that it has become.”

Matthews has seen many changes in the Ocala thoroughbred industry and the equine medicine field in the past 32 years.

“In those early days, thoroughbreds were the majority of our business, probably 90 percent,” said Matthews. “But over the years as more horse breeds came into the area, we began to see more sport horses, quarter horses, arabians and just about every breed there is. Different economic downturns, including the recent recession in 2008, have had a significant impact on the Florida thoroughbred industry. I’d say now that thoroughbreds are 50-60 percent of our business.”

Equine medicine, according to Matthews, has benefited greatly from technological advancements.

“We have so many more and better diagnostic tools, like ultrasound, digital radiography and much improved lab testing,” said Matthews. “Our surgical techniques, especially orthopedic surgery, are so much more advanced and result in more positive outcomes than ever before.”

When it comes to Matthews’ specialty of equine reproduction, he says that “it has evolved so much and we have such a better understanding of broodmare physiology and endocrinology.” And he adds, “There’s always something new and challenging to learn. I love that it’s not a stagnant field.”

Phil Matthews, with his wife Sam (above), still likes to get out and ride his cowponies.

BECOMING THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS

It wasn’t long after arriving in Ocala that Matthews and Sam bought their first farm and thoroughbred broodmare. They established their original Cedar Grove Farm in 1983 on 10 acres.

The current incarnation of the farm that they moved to in 2000 now encompasses 40 acres, adjacent to their initial acreage. Remaining a small commercial breeder with typically four to eight mares and selling in the yearling market, they have enjoyed good success. Breeding as Phil Matthews and Karen Matthews, they have bred two graded stakes winners, Parlay and Florida-bred Rizzi Girl, Florida-bred stakes winners Papi Chullo, who was also graded stakes-placed, Sok Sok and Kidsarefun,

PhilMetthews_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:18 PM Page 55

Sam and I are very “hands-on with our horses. It’s something but it sure could be fun.” as well as several Floridabred stakes-placed horses.

Another key and bargainwe enjoy doing together.

The first mare Matthews We’ve been married 37 priced broodmare purchase bought was Sister Aggie, years and Sam has al- was Leggy Super Model. paying $2,200 for the daughways been right there Matthews bought the Vigors ter of Great Above at the mare, in foal to Pick Up the alongside me.

We have 1985 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Phone, for $3,000 at the 1996 Company’s January mixed two great kids in Regan OBS October sale. She has sale. Sister Aggie got the and Austin. I consider gone on to produce FloridaMatthews breeding program myself very fortunate. bred graded stakes winner Rizzi Girl, who captured the off to quick and successful start. She produced graded stakes winner Par- 2006 Hillsborough Stakes (G3). In addition, lay, who won the 1998 Distaff Handicap (G2), she is the dam of Florida-bred stakes winas well as Florida-bred stakes-placed winners ner/graded stakes-placed Papi Chullo, as well Space Above and Nowhere Man. Matthews as Florida-bred stakes-placed winners Bond raced Space Above and Nowhere Man before Princess and Model Citizen.

“When shopping for a broodmare, I’ve alselling them privately.

“Sister Aggie was a great mare for us. She ways loved the In Reality and Great Above got us off to such a good start,” said lines,” said Matthews. “I like a correct mare, but Matthews. “And I remember thinking breeding not necessarily a big mare. I tend to like quarter and racing thoroughbreds might not be easy, horse-type mares with a lot of substance to them

”

rather than the long, racy-looking mares.”

Matthews’ affinity for Great Above mares led him to breed Sharpe’s Ferry, by Pass the Tab, to the prominent Florida stallion. The resulting 1995 foal was Vaca Sagrada, who was then raced by her breeders, but only earned $23,650.

As a broodmare, she has more than earned her keep, producing Florida-bred multiple stakes winner Sok Sok. The 2005 colt by Trippi is still racing and has to date has earned $463,824.

The In Reality line also produced a stakes winner for Matthews in Kidsarefun. By Rizzi out of the In Reality mare Tokyo Doll, Kidsarefun won the 2001 Nuit De’Armour Handicap.

Both Leggy Super Model and Vaca Sagrada are among the eight broodmares who currently reside at Cedar Grove Farm. Leggy Super Model had a 2012 West Acre filly and a 2013 Wildcat Heir colt; she isn’t in foal for 2014. Vaca Sagrada had a 2013 J P’s Gusto filly and is in foal to Florida-bred Grade 1 milTHE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 55

PhilMetthews_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:18 PM Page 56

D r. P h i l M a t t h e w s lionaire In Summation for 2014.

The highest-priced horse bred and sold by Matthews to date is Heir of Storm. The 2010 colt by Wildcat Heir out of the deceased Tiz What It Waz, by Tiz Now, was sold for $85,000 at the 2011 OBS August yearling sale. Consigned for Matthews by Summerfield, Agent, the colt was bought by Vision Racing & Sales. The latter then consigned Heir of Storm to the 2012 Barretts March juvenile sale, where he sold for $120,000 to Peter and Ellen Johnson.

In 2010, Matthews co-bred with Brent and Crystal Fernung a Circular Quay out of Folk Art, by Bertrando, filly. Consigned by the Fernungs’ Journeyman Bloodstock, Agent, to the 2012 OBS April juvenile sale, the filly named Verso a Verso was sold for $11,000 to Juan F. Landaeta. Later that August, she was claimed for $16,000 by trainer Luis Ramirez for Frank C. Calabrese. Verso a Verso went on to win the My Dear Girl Stakes of the Florida Stallion Stakes and was second in the John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes to earn $207,310 on the season.

Verso a Verso was then named the 2012 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old filly.

“Sam and I are very hands-on with our horses,” said Matthews. “It’s something we enjoy doing together. We’ve been married 37 years and Sam has always been right there alongside me. We have two great kids in Regan and Austin. I consider myself very fortunate.”

Daughter Regan, 25, is currently working in the marketing department of a Denverbased sports television network. Son Austin, 22, is majoring in film/theatre at the University of Central Florida.

In addition to the thoroughbred farm, Matthews did fulfill his dream of being involved in the cattle ranching business. For several years, he was partners in a Colorado-based cattle operation before then establishing a Florida one. Matthews runs a commercial cattle operation of about 120 head of Brangus on a ranch in north Marion County and another in Madison County. And as often as he can, Matthews is up on one of his cowponies, working at his cattle operations.

“I still love working with cattle and riding 56 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

The Right Detour my cowponies,” said Matthews. “It’s a good balance for me between the thoroughbreds and the cattle operation. I feel like I get to have it all.”

GIVING BACK

A member of the FTBOA since 1984, Matthews was asked to run for the organization’s board of directors in 2009.

“Mike O’Farrell approached me about running for the FTBOA board,” said Matthews.

“It wasn’t something I had given much thought to beforehand. But I quickly thought ‘why not?’ I thought it was time to volunteer my time to the industry and hopefully help make a difference.”

Matthews was elected to the FTBOA board in 2009, serving as second vice president as well for a year from 2010-2011. He then became FTBOA president for the last year (2011-2012) of his first three-year term.

Re-elected for a second three-year term in October 2012, Matthews served again as

president from 2012-2013 but did not run for election as president for 2014.

“I very much enjoyed serving as president and the opportunity to help the Association through tumultuous times in both the economy and the change in the administration’s leadership,” Matthews said.

“I am thrilled with the relationships I have forged while president, but now it is time to allow somebody with another vision to be at the helm of the Association. The wonderful thing is, the exceptional continuity we can count on under

PhilMetthews_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:18 PM Page 57

Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital in Ocala

the leadership of our CEO, Lonny Powell.”

During his time on the board, Matthews has witnessed many transformative changes in the Florida thoroughbred industry. Reeling from the 2008 Great Recession, the industry suffered a 50 percent drop in the Florida-bred foal crop, farms were shuttered, sales numbers went down, racing factions were at odds again.

And there was significant turmoil within the FTBOA infrastructure and membership.

“It was indeed a very challenging scenario from the beginning,” said Matthews. “What we on the FTBOA board saw was an industry that desperately needed to unify, not continue to divide. We needed to unite the FTBOA internally and then move on to work with the Florida racetracks and the HBPA. I’m a firm believer that unity benefits and strengthens everyone.”

Longtime FTBOA Executive Vice President Dick Hancock, who had held the position for 25 years, was slated to retire amid all

the turmoil. Matthews knew that position had to be filled before the FTBOA could take the lead and move forward.

“It was very important to me and the FTBOA board to replace Dick Hancock with someone with very strong thoroughbred industry relationships, experience and credentials,” Matthews said. “We launched a nationwide search to do just that. And that’s how we found Lonny Powell, who met and exceeded all our requirements.”

Powell became FTBOA chief executive officer and executive vice president in January, 2012. According to Matthews, thoroughbred industry veteran Powell “brought with him the street creds, the industry knowledge and the contacts that immediately gave us a seat at every table from the Florida Legislature to the racetracks to the HBPA.” Matthews also noted, “Dick Hancock accomplished a tremendous amount for the

Florida industry during his tenure and we owe him a great debt. Included in his legacy is that he hired lobbyist Matt Bryan and attorney Warren Husband to represent the FTBOA. Both continue to do so today and we are very fortunate to have them.”

The Florida thoroughbred industry has slowly begun to right itself in the ensuing years since the Great Recession.

“From my perspective, I’m excited by all the positive signs I see,” said Matthews.

“Florida has posted gains in its foal crop in the last two years and sales are on the upswing.

And we are definitely continuing to have positive, productive conversations and interactions with the Legislature, the racetracks and the HBPA. There’s always more work to do, but I’m optimistic about the direction the Florida thoroughbred industry is heading.”

Good words to heed from someone who knows how to take the right detour. ■

From my perspective, I’m excited by all the positive signs I see. Florida has posted gains in its foal “ crop in the last two years and sales are on the upswing. And we are definitely continuing to have positive, productive conversations and interactions with the Legislature, the racetracks and the HBPA. ”

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 57

LeadingSires_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:52 PM Page 58

Leading Florida Sires The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through October 1, 2013. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

LEROIDESANIMAUX

PUT IT BACK

WITH DISTINCTION

Sire Name

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

Leading Earner

Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) HallMarc Stallions

Candy Stripes

$1,054,522

68

30

2

2

1

$7,091,970

Animal Kingdom

With Distinction

Hartley/De Renzo

Storm Cat

$3,644,817 170

91

5

6

0

$3,684,663

Merit Man

Put It Back

Bridlewood Farm

Honour and Glory

$3,109,213 247

118

13

18

7

$3,508,722

Wildcat Heir

Journeyman Stud

Forest Wildcat

$3,039,606 163

89

3

6

1

Graeme Hall

Winding Oaks

Dehere

$2,231,338 113

66

1

2

1

Exclusive Quality

Journeyman Stud

Elusive Quality

$2,078,212

83

52

3

4

Repent

Woodford Thoroughbreds

Louis Quatorze

$1,944,609 117

55

3

3

Value Plus

HallMarc Stallions

Unbridled's Song

$1,704,032 108

56

2

3

0

$1,791,455

Sweet Maxine

$117,870

4

$7,000

5

$28,800

City Place

Hartley/De Renzo

Storm Cat

$1,453,849

63

46

1

1

0

$1,463,828

La Tia

$142,473

3

$13,333

8

$38,875

A. P. Warrior

HallMarc Stallions

A.P. Indy

$1,354,764

71

34

1

1

0

$1,359,008

Siete de Oros

$162,500

8

$11,750

2

$108,500

Greatness

HallMarc Stallions

Mr. Prospector

$1,209,735

48

29

3

7

0

$1,209,735

Immortal Eyes

$397,500

1

$5,500

2

$31,500

Name

Farm Name

Leading Earnings

Yrlg Sold

Yrlg Avg

2yo Sold

2yo Avg

$6,060,000

26

$52,448

3

$208,830

18

$20,472

34

$33,912

Back Away

$145,672

2

$13,500

9

$53,126

$3,200,652

Black Diamond Cat

$207,300

26

$36,231

21

$53,810

$2,241,264

Marathon Lady

$275,100

6

$17,000

15

$47,000

0

$2,078,212

Sr. Quisqueyano

$269,550

21

$13,033

12

$25,250

0

$1,945,641

Crown Polis

$113,439

1

$3,700

4

$15,875

$46,333

Leading Florida Juvenile Sires The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results October 1September 4, 2013. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

WITH DISTINCTION

TWO STEP SALSA

GRAEME HALL

Farm Name

Sire Name

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

With Distinction

Hartley/De Renzo

Storm Cat

$642,507

28

12

2

3

0

$642,507

My Brown Eyed Guy $154,730

18

$20,472

34

$33,912

Graeme Hall

Winding Oaks

Dehere

$487,384

20

10

1

2

1

$487,384

Designer Legs

$189,000

6

$17,000

15

$47,000

Two Step Salsa

Get Away Farm

Petionville

$464,575

14

9

0

0

0

$464,575

Dance With Fate

$155,250

10

$19,550

18

$56,750

Wildcat Heir

Journeyman Stud

Forest Wildcat

$320,387

24

10

0

0

0

$320,387

Sunset Silhouette

$45,900

26

$36,231

21

$53,810

Hear No Evil

Journeyman Stud

Carson City

$313,557

12

5

2

2

0

$313,557

Best Plan Yet

$122,400

1

$10,500

4

$99,500

In Summation

Ocala Stud

Put It Back

$203,361

14

4

0

0

0

$203,361

No Fruit Degroote

$44,405

17

$16,412

30

$51,133

High Cotton

Ocala Stud

Dixie Union

$199,585

17

3

0

0

0

$199,585

Crazy Laura

$45,100

13

$24,423

25

$66,600

Value Plus

HallMarc Stallions Unbridled's Song

$188,342

10

4

2

3

0

$188,342

Long On Value

$82,800

4

$7,000

5

$28,800

Act of Duty

Bridlewood Farm

Mr. Prospector

$182,528

6

2

1

2

0

$182,528

Scandalous Act

$147,620

1

$5,000

3

$14,833

Bring the Heat

Ward Ranch

In Excess (IRE)

$164,780

10

7

0

0

0

$164,780

Dreamofjean E.

$36,792

1

$3,000

Da Stoops

HallMarc Stallions Distorted Humor

$134,828

6

4

0

0

0

$148,729

Howaboutwe

$55,860

1

$3,500

4

$22,875

Name

58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Leading Earnings

Yrlg Sold

Yrlg Avg

2yo Sold

2yo Avg

LeadingSires_Florida Horse_template 10/16/13 3:56 PM Page 59

International Leading Freshman Sires The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing results updated through October 1, 2013. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

TWO STEP SALSA Rank Sire 1 Two Step Salsa

YESBYJIMMINY

IN SUMMATION

Farm Name Get Away Farm, Fla.

NA Earnings $464,575

Strtrs 14

Wnrs 9

BENNY THE BULL

SW's 0

Stk Wins 0

Gr SW's 0

Earnings $464,575

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Intense Focus Dunkirk Colonel John Pioneerof the Nile Diabolical Kodiak Kowboy Zensational Old Fashioned Giant Gizmo Square Eddie Talent Search

Ballylinch Stud, Ire. Ashford Stud, Ky. WinStar Farm, Ky. WinStar Farm, Ky. A & A Horse Ranch, NM WinStar Farm, Ky. Hill 'n' Dale Farms, Ky. Taylor Made Stallions, Ky. Adena Springs, Can. Vessels Stallion Farm, Ca. Ramsey Farm, Ky.

$12,000 $324,903 $362,002 $340,377 $313,700 $305,784 $284,975 $280,561 $273,334 $269,050 $206,667

48 28 15 24 25 22 25 20 17 7 12

13 11 5 8 10 8 6 5 2 3 6

1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0

1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 2 0

1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

$463,497 $399,434 $369,293 $340,377 $313,700 $305,784 $289,603 $280,561 $273,334 $269,050 $206,667

13

In Summation

Ocala Stud, Fla.

$203,361

14

4

0

0

0

$203,361

14 15 16 17 18 19

Time to Get Even U S Ranger Dixie Chatter Bushwacker Cosmonaut My Pal Charlie

Lovacres Ranch, Ca. WinStar Farm, Ky. Balleana Vista Farm Lovacres Ranch, Ca. Highcliff Stallions, NY Elite Thoroughbreds, La.

$196,880 $190,297 $170,074 $163,538 $163,020 $153,110

16 18 20 17 5 12

5 2 5 4 2 4

0 1 1 0 0 1

0 1 2 0 0 1

0 1 0 0 0 0

$196,880 $194,633 $170,074 $164,575 $163,020 $153,110

20 28

Yesbyjimminy Benny the Bull

Bridlewood Farm, Fla. Winding Oaks Farm, Fla.

$138,750 $106,884

10 11

3 2

1 0

1 0

0 0

$138,750 $106,884

Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’s Association •Lonny Powell – CEO, Executive Vice President •Brock Sheridan – Editor-in-Chief •Tammy Gantt – Membership Services, Events Director •Dave Allen – Associate Editor Calder Race Course •Bobby Neuman – Track Announcer •Sean Perl – Stakes Coordinator

Gulfstream Park •Michael Costanzo – Media Relations Asst.

•Peter Aiello IV – Track Announcer Hialeah Park •R. Peter Aiello IV – Director of Simulcasting, Track Announcer •Scott Hinckley – Asst. Mutuel Manager Isle Casino Racing Pompano Park •Heather Belmonte – Executive Assistant

Leading Earner Dance With Fate

Leading Earnings $155,250

Astaire (IRE) Dunkin Bend Concave River Dancer That's the Idea Sidearm Sensational Nikki Sweet Whiskey Spin the King Sprouts Hollywood Talent

$202,381 $117,000 $157,200 $82,000 $100,465 $49,124 $73,350 $103,000 $133,114 $149,490 $70,365

No Fruit Degroote

$44,405

Time for Angie Solitary Ranger Architecture Tupelo Cush Marvin's Miracle Say Charlie

$76,410 $109,000 $90,799 $34,370 $79,000 $54,000

Flay Mignon Joe Pike

$76,400 $32,510

Ocala Breeders’ Sales •Tom Ventura – President Orlando Jai Alai •Kevin Honig – Asst. GM/Director ITW Tampa Bay Downs •Allison DeLuca – Racing Secretary •Doug Murray – TRPB Agent Trainer •Todd Pletcher

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 59

Collmus_Florida Horse_template 10/16/13 4:23 PM Page 60

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Collmus_Florida Horse_template 10/16/13 4:23 PM Page 61

By REG LANSBERRY

COGLIANESE PHOTO

L

arry Collmus is thoroughbred racing’s Triple Threat. Which makes him a busy man, indeed. And that is just the way he likes it.

The lead announcer for Gulfstream Park, Monmouth Park, as well as the voice of racing’s Triple Crown for NBC Sports plus the Breeders’ Cup Classic and Ladies’ Classic (both Grade 1), Collmus has become a familiar presence in living rooms nationwide. His crisp and clear race calls abetted by the perfect touch of excitement have added immensely to the drama and majesty of the Sport of Kings at its highest level.

When Gulfstream Park commences its 2013-’14 Champions Meet on Nov. 30, its $10.75 million stakes program (61 stakes races; 34 of them graded) highlighted by the 63rd renewal of the $1 million Florida Derby (G1) on Mar. 29, Collmus will be back in the announcer’s stand at the track that produced the 2013 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) champion in Orb. The son of Malibu Moon prepped for his date with destiny in magnificent style by capturing three consecutive races at the Hallandale oval (thereby extending his overall race winning streak to four) prior to heading to Churchill Downs in Louisville for the first Saturday in May. “Clearly, Larry has established himself as one of thoroughbred racing’s great track announcers,” Tim Ritvo, Gulfstream Park president and general manager, said. “Larry has a great passion for our sport.”

Collmus’s passion for thoroughbred racing was forged during his teenage years. He would accompany his late father, Bob, to Timonium Race Track for the Maryland State Fair meeting, where Collmus pere was responsible for installing and operating the sound system. It was during that period Collmus fils fell in love with the sport.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 61

Collmus_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:20 PM Page 62

VOICES Larry Collmus

Visits to Maryland’s other tracks followed in short order, which resulted in Collmus securing a handhold as a press box “gofer.” Now fully immersed in all things racetrack, he began watching race replay shows from around the country. That led soon enough to fashioning racecall impressions of various announcers. When someone who overheard him offered encouraging words, saying, “You should try doing that for real,” the die was cast.

An advocate for Collmus at this juncture was the late Eddie McMullen, who used to run the press box at the Maryland tracks. Collmus would perform odd jobs for him and McMullen reciprocated by finding a room where he could practice calling races.

“It was Chick Lang (longtime general manager at Pimlico Race Course who, more than anyone else, was responsible for reviving and strengthening the Preakness Stakes (G1), and also solidifying the Triple Crown series in the mid-1980s) who gave me my big break,” Collmus said. “He had heard me practicing at Pimlico and talked to his son, Chickie, who was head of publicity at the time. When the Bowie meeting opened, it was Chick who said, ‘Let’s give him a start.’ ” Collmus made his debut in the summer of 1985 when he called his first race.

“When you first start it’s overwhelming. There was definitely a feeling of intimidation,” he recalled. “The nerves are there big time, the binoculars are shaking, and you want to get through it without messing up. I was very nervous.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

Collmus credits several industry announcers for helping him find his way when his career was still in its

LARRY COLLMUS Birthdate: October 13, 1966 Birthplace: Baltimore, MD Residence: Monmouth Beach, NJ; Hallandale Beach, FL Racetracks Worked: Aqueduct Race Track (2005-’06), Belmont Park (as fill-in and for Belmont

Stakes), Birmingham Turf Club (1987), Bowie Race Course (assistant announcer, 1985), Charles Town Races (guest announcer), Churchill Downs (one week, other than Kentucky Derby), Golden Gate Fields (1988-’91), Gulfstream Park (2007-present), Laurel Park (assistant announcer, 1985’86), Meadowlands Race Track, Monmouth Park (1994-present), Pimlico Race Course (assistant announcer, 1986; Preakness Stakes), Santa Anita Race Track (for Breeders’ Cup), Saratoga Race Course, Suffolk Downs (1992-2008), Timonium Race Track (Maryland State Fair, assistant announcer, 1985), Vallejo (Solano County Fair, CA, 1990-’93), Santa Rosa (Sonoma County Fair, CA, 1990-’93), Los Alamitos (Orange County Fair, CA, 1991), and various other tracks as a guest announcer.

Family: Single formative stages. Dick Woolley, Maryland’s lead announcer at that time, Robin Burns, who was the announcer at Laurel Park, and the esteemed Dave Johnson, who was the voice of the Triple Crown at the time and the announcer at Meadowlands Race Track in New Jersey, all influenced Collmus in myriad ways. In short order, he would become the assistant announcer at Pimlico, Laurel, and Bowie Race Course in Maryland.

“Dave Johnson used to come to Pimlico to call the Preakness Stakes, and I got to meet him. He was very helpful in the beginning of my career,” Collmus said.

“Not only by helping me to develop into a good race

62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

caller, but by also teaching me how to contact people.

Dave really got me kick-started.”

Collmus burst into the sporting public’s consciousness on a national scale when Tom Durkin passed him the baton as NBC Sports’ voice of racing’s Triple Crown commencing with the 2011 Kentucky Derby. While he may not have been familiar to the casual sports fan, Collmus’s calm and descriptive calls were already well known to racing aficionados.

While Monmouth Park’s race caller beginning in 1994, which means that this past July he called his twentieth Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), a fact Collmus cites with a tone of amazement in his voice, he performed similar chores at Suffolk Downs in Massachusetts from 1992-2008. Tack on announcing duties at Gulfstream Park, various gigs as “Guest Announcer” at tracks around the U.S. (see Box), and the conclusion is inescapable: this guy is busy.

Collmus credits the Gulfstream meeting with helping to hone his racing knowledge and acuity, both of which are crucial elements as winter gives way to spring, and with it the advent of the Triple Crown.

“Gulfstream is both an easy and a hard place to call races,” he says. “The hard part is that horses are coming from all over the country. You have big fields – and a lot of turf races. Because of that, the finishes are different than on dirt. Horses are coming at you from every angle and closing like crazy: up the rail and on the outside. You really have to know those horses and that’s what makes it hard.”

A definite plus is that Gulfstream’s horses are of higher quality compared to the vast majority of other racetracks. Thus the familiar silks of Phipps Stable, for example (black jacket with cherry red cap), Dogwood Stable, and other big outfits results in their horses being instantly recognizable and thus easier to memorize.

Although Collmus was named to succeed Durkin just three weeks before the 2011 Derby, he cited calling races at Gulfstream as proving to be an important advantage when he had to, as he phrased it, put in “extra cram time” to prepare for the Derby and try to familiarize himself – in a hurry— with horses he had never seen before.

“I had the advantage of calling the South Florida horses, which gives you an edge in half the (Derby) field right there,” Collmus says. “You know them off the top of your head.”

While Collmus pays attention to races nationwide as a self-described racing fan, he did not do so with quite the same laser-like focus as he has since calling the Triple Crown series became the latest addition to a sparkling portfolio. In advance of the 2012 Triple Crown, his study habits had become streamlined, “Knowing in my head that on the first Saturday in May

Collmus_Florida Horse_template 10/17/13 9:31 AM Page 63

I am going to have to put them (as many as twenty horses in the starting gate) all together.”

As is incumbent upon any race caller, Collmus makes certain he is completely prepared for any eventuality before the latch is sprung such as a horse stumbling out the gate, a rider becoming unseated, or a leading contender making a big move on the turn for home only to get shut off, etc. Given the searing pressure that is part and parcel of calling the Derby, having a game plan is a vital component of Collmus’s preparation.

He said calling Animal Kingdom’s stylish Derby victory in 2011, his career highlight to date, was “the most nerve-wracking and aweIf you’re not nervous some moment I could ever imagine. I or excited about calling was very nervous, for sure, and equally the Derby, or any big as excited to have that opportunity.” race, then you’re defiCollmus said he tried to channel the very real pressure he felt (“I like to think nitely in the wrong job. of it as a ‘good kind’ of pressure; nervous —Larry Collmus energy”) in a positive way so that he would not be overcome by it. Because the fact of the matter is that calling the Derby over its two-plus minutes is analogous to a jockey’s adrenaline pumping throughout the race.

“If you’re not nervous or excited about calling the Derby, or any big race, then you’re definitely in the wrong job,” Collmus said. As soon as he had completed calling the Derby, “and knowing I did not mess it up, I was overcome with emotion. It was just a fantastic feeling of accomplishment,” he added.

Orb’s popular triumph this past May for co-owners Stuart Janney III and his cousin, Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps and Phipps Stable, represented the third time in eight years (Barbaro in 2006; Big Brown in 2008) that the Florida Derby winner had gone on to win the Run for the Roses.

It was at Gulfstream Park, of course, where Orb seemingly blossomed before everyone’s eyes including most prominently those of trainer Shug McGaughey. Produced by the Unbridled mare Lady Liberty, Orb won an optional claiming race on Jan. 26, then steadily continued to attract notice by securing the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) on Feb. 23 over race favorite and Todd Pletcher trainee Violence, prior to recording a smashing Florida Derby (G1) victory over the Eddie Plesa-trained Itsmyluckyday.

The Orb Express was clearly gathering momentum, seemingly by the day in McGaughey’s estimation, as he moved forward with every race and every work.

Though Collmus was acutely aware (“It’s in the back of your mind, subconsciously, that you have followed certain horses all spring”) it was the Florida Derby winner who was on the move heading into the second turn approaching the quarter pole at Churchill Downs, he

“

DENVER PHOTO

”

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 63

Collmus_Florida Horse_template 10/16/13 4:24 PM Page 64

VOICES Larry Collmus

which, for a $50 donation per person, said that realization is competing with will allow up to six fans at a time to literally hundreds of other thoughts meet Collmus and watch him call a flashing through his mind. race in his announcer’s stand while en“You kind of throw all that (the joying its sweeping view of the track horses he has called and followed in the and the Atlantic Ocean. months prior) out once the gates open “Larry’s been a great representative because there are so many other horses of Gulfstream Park, hosting guests in that legitimately have a chance to win an effort to help us raise money for the race,” he said. “I am consciously trythoroughbred aftercare and being an ing to incorporate many story lines into integral part of our Saturday morning the race, which this year had many parbreakfast program,” Ritvo said. ticularly interesting ones. You had Kevin Among all of the top horses CollKrigger trying to become the first mus has seen during his career, he ranks African American rider to win the race calling the two Massachusetts Handiin all these years; Rosie Napravnik trying to become the first woman to win I think it would be cap triumphs of Cigar in 1995-’96 at the Derby; and Gary Stevens, a threefantastic to have the the very top. The 1996 victory by the son of Palace Music was the 15th in-atime Derby winner, making his comeBreeders’ Cup come row during his legendary winning back. All those jockeys are in my head, back to Gulfstream. streak, not to mention his first race back and I was happy I was able to incorporate their names into the race call.”

What a cool complex after winning the Dubai World Cup. “To have him come to this little Collmus said the “coolest thing” it would be for everytrack in Boston for the second time . . . about the Derby was that Shug Mcone with all of the I’ve just never, ever seen anything like Gaughey, who he has known for years, and who has meant so much to the sport shops and restaurants it before,” Collmus said. “The way the and is universally popular both and everything that crowd cheered for him walking to the paddock, it was just phenomenal. He frontside and backside, finally got his they have now. stands out in my mind as one of my allfirst Derby win. “Shug is just one of the —Larry Collmus time favorites.” classiest people in our sport and someThe Sonny Hine-trained Florida-bred Skip Away came one who I have gotten to know a little bit,” Collmus said. next. The son of Skip Trial matched Cigar by winning “I was just so happy to see him win the Derby.”

Firmly entrenched as an integral part of the racing consecutive (1997-’98) MassCaps in the silks of Sonny’s experience at Gulfstream Park, Collmus realizes his wife, owner Carolyn Hine. Those performances also imgood fortune and is always ready and willing to do any- pressed Collmus, and have stayed with him. Calling his thing to promote the game. He is an avid participant in very first Haskell Invitational in 1994 remains memorable Gulfstream Park’s Thoroughbred Aftercare Program because it was taken down by eventual Horse of the Year Holy Bull, another Florida-bred Collmus favorite. He includes 2009 Preakness Stakes heroine Rachel Alexandra in his personal pantheon along with Animal Kingdom whose 2011 Derby will always occupy a special place.

For all of his great moments to date, Collmus anticipates many more in the years ahead. With Gulfstream Park eager to once again be selected to host a future Breeders’ Cup World Championships, that is a prospect Collmus relishes.

“I think it would be fantastic to have the Breeders’ Cup come back to Gulfstream,” he said. (The track last hosted the event in 1999.) “Gulfstream is such a beautiful facility. What a cool complex it would be for everyone with all of the shops and restaurants and everything that they have now. The weather would certainly be another positive. What a great host Gulfstream would be.” ■

“

COGLIANESE PHOTOS

”

64 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Ad_Bleed_Check_Layout 1 10/17/13 10:59 AM Page 1

LiveOak_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:27 PM Page 66

By CYNTHIA MCFARLAND f ever a farm was aptly named, it is Live Oak Stud. An abundance of majestic live oaks, some at least 200 years old, are found on all portions of the 4,500acre operation, which anchors scenic York Road off Highway 40 just west of town.

Gracefully draped with Spanish moss, these stately namesakes lend elegance and

I

a sense of history to the long-standing operation that is one of the largest thoroughbred farms and cattle operations in the county.

This year, as Live Oak Stud celebrates its 45th anniversary, The Florida Horse paid a visit to see how things have changed and what’s stayed the same at this iconic Ocala farm.

BARBARA D. LIVINGSTON PHOTO

Live Oak Stud Marks 45 Years in the Industry

LiveOak_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:27 PM Page 67

HISTORIC START

The farm’s origins date back more than 45 years. Established by Peter A.B. Widener III in 1957 as Live Oak Plantation, the original farm encompassed 1,100 acres. After Charlotte C. Weber purchased the property in 1968, she changed the farm name to Live Oak Stud, but has always raced under the

name Live Oak Plantation. Subsequent land acquisitions expanded the farm to its current acreage.

When Weber bought the farm, she also purchased Widener’s breeding stock, using those horses, along with horses she later bred, as the foundation from which to launch an owner/breeder endeavor that has become recognized as one of North

America’s most respected operations.

Among the top racehorses carrying Live Oak’s distinctive black, red and white silks are NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) winner and 2006 Eclipse Award champion turf male Miesque’s Approval, Florida-bred champion Sultry Song and Grade 1 winners To Honor and Serve,

LiveOak_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:27 PM Page 68

LIVE OAK STUD

Marking

45

The mother of four grown children and eight grandBrilliant Speed and Solar Splendor, High Fly, Zo Impressive, In The Gold, Laser Light, and My Typhoon (IRE). children, Weber made sure her children were also introOther outstanding Live Oak runners include Revved Up, duced to racing at an early age, regularly taking them to Most Distinguished, Silver Charades, She’s Indy Money, races on the weekends. (Only one of them, however, has Autobahn Girl, Stradivinsky, Tacit Agreement, and Un- made a career of horses, her youngest Chester, who is an accomplished four-in-hand driver and international bridled Humor.

Weber was no stranger to the racing world at the time champion. Granddaughter Chloe Reid, 16, is an accomplished Grand Prix rider.) of Live Oak’s purchase.

Weber lives on the farm and also has residences in Born in Philadelphia, she got her first taste of horse racing at a young age, thanks to several family members Hobe Sound, Fla., Saratoga Springs and New York City. who were fans of the sport. She would later credit fe- While Weber’s finger remains closely on the pulse of all male racing icons Penny Chenery, Betty Moran, farm activities, she relies on the experience and instincts Josephine Abercrombie, Marylou Whitney, Elizabeth of general manager Bruce Hill to oversee the day-to-day Arden, and Helen Groves as major influences on her operations.

Hill, a native Texan and lifelong horseman, worked in own philosophy about the sport.

Passionate about art, as well as thoroughbreds, Weber the quarter horse industry until 1986 when he made the attended the University of Paris, where she studied art and switch to thoroughbreds after taking a job with trainer D. interior design at the L’Ecole de Louvre. She is a board Wayne Lukas. Hill came to Florida in 1998 after accepting a management position member of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and provided funding to with Padua Stables. When Padua relocated to Kentucky in 2008, for the Met Museum’s Charlotte the people I’ve had the pleasHill made the move with the C. Weber Galleries for the Arts of Ancient China. Weber, the grandure of working for, this is the farm, but fate had other plans.

“We’d moved to Lexington daughter of John T. Dorrance, also best working situation I’ve ever and [had] been there three days serves as a board trustee of the been in. I’ve been on a ‘honey- when Mrs. Weber called and business Dorrance founded, the moon’ ever since I started asked me to come work for her.

Campbell Soup Company.

“With all due respect

working for Mrs. Weber. She understands the industry and she couldn’t be more fair.

”

CYNTHIA MCFARLAND PHOTOS

—General Manager Bruce Hill

68 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

LiveOak_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:27 PM Page 69

We moved back to Ocala in March 2008,” relates Hill, who has been married to his wife Deborah for 38 years.

“With all due respect to the people I’ve had the pleasure of working for, this is the best working situation I’ve ever been in,” he adds. “I’ve been on a ‘honeymoon’ ever since I started working for Mrs. Weber.

She understands the industry and she couldn’t be more fair. She has great depth of loyalty in her employees, many of whom have been here a long time—and she’s earned it. She’s a good leader and people respect her. I feel fortunate to have landed in this position.”

FLORIDA BENEFITS BREEDING OPERATION

Live Oak’s broodmare band is the backbone of its racing success. Weber has built and maintained a high-caliber group of mares with exceptional bloodlines and produce records. Although not a large group—never more than 40 mares—it is comprised of graded stakes winners and stakes producers and has consistently kept the farm’s name in the record books.

For a number of years, Live Oak’s broodmares were bred and foaled in Kentucky. While the vast majority are still bred in the Bluegrass State, they spend most of their time in Florida and foal here, as well.

This change took place in 2009 and Weber believes it only makes sense to take advantage of all the benefits Florida offers when it comes to raising horses.

“All of our mares are foaling in Florida,” Hill confirms. “We have the same limestone base as Kentucky, but because we have more sandy soil our native grasses aren’t as strong as the bluegrass. Rather than having to manage the spurts of high nutrition in the grasses, like they have with bluegrass, we find our grass nutrient levels are more constant.

“We feel we can control nutrition here better than in Kentucky. Through our nutrition and management program, we’re able to keep our incidences of OCD in the single digits, whereas industry-wise, 25% or higher is the norm,” he notes. (OCD is a developmental orthopedic condition in which subchondral bone fails to form properly, often leading to enlarged joints and, sometimes, lameness. Found in young, rapidly-growing horses, the condition is blamed on several causes, including diets high in energy and protein, mineral deficiencies, excesses or imbalances, and growth spurts.)

“The weather is good so that we can, for all intents and purposes, keep horses outside year round,” Hill adds.

The combination of these factors makes us feel confident that we can raise a horse as well here as anywhere.”

Almost all mares are still bred in Kentucky, although two were bred in Florida in 2013.

“It would be easy to argue that the ‘major league’ stallions are in Lexington,” Hill points out. “There have been some great stallions that stood in Florida and did

General Manager Bruce Hill oversees Live Oak’s expansive operation.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 69

LiveOak_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:27 PM Page 70

LIVE OAK STUD

Marking

45

well, but Mrs. Weber is playing at the top end of the game. It’s not a reflection on Florida, California, New York or any other state, but the top end stallions are in Kentucky, so that’s where we’re focused on breeding.”

Live Oak’s mares ship to Kentucky three weeks post foaling and ship back home to Florida after they’ve been checked safe in foal at 35 days after breeding.

“We’re comfortable bringing them home at that stage because the fetus has attached to the wall of the uterus by that point,” says Hill.

STALLION INTERESTS

the breeding shed at Live Oak could be back in business. “We would love to stand stallions here and given the right opportunity, we will be more than happy to open the stud barn again.”

BLOODSTOCK TARGETED TO RACE

“We breed to race, but we also buy yearlings each year, primarily at Saratoga and Keeneland,” notes Hill.

“The last three or four years we have been breaking our entire crop to race, but we don’t always know where the next racehorse will come from. The inexpensive homebred could outrun the million dollar purchase.”

Weber believes it’s important to introduce new blood into her racing and breeding programs, so she regularly buys both yearlings and broodmares. “I was very aggressive at the sales this year, probably more than I intended to be. I had the opportunity to buy, so I did, but I don’t think paying a lot of money means you bought a good horse.”

Whether a horse is a homebred or was purchased, Weber feels strongly about giving each animal time to reach its potential.

“If you give them the time necessary, they will return the investment. I do not want the instant profit or quick returns generated by running horses before they are ready,” says Weber, pointing out that Miesque’s Approval won the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (G1) at age seven, while millionaire Revved Up won a remarkable 14 stakes and retired sound at age 11.

“Revved Up’s racing career was the embodiment of Mrs. Weber’s breeding program,” says Hill. “He was sound, durable and talented, and his record speaks for

No stallions have stood at Live Oak Stud since 2009, but that hasn’t always been the case. Medieval Man, a Live Oak homebred and multiple stakes winner, was one of the first to stand at the farm. He was followed by such stallions as With Approval (Canadian Horse of the Year and winner of the 1989 Canadian Triple Crown), Dispersal, Hesabull, Eltish, Sultry Song, and High Fly. Interestingly, part of the property owned by the farm was once Aisco Farm where industry legend Mr. Prospector first stood.

Weber retained part ownership in two of Live Oak Plantation’s top racehorses of recent years—To Honor and Serve and Brilliant Speed—both of which entered stud this year.

A son of Bernardini, To Honor and Serve is a multiple graded stakes winner of $1,798,840 who won eight of 17 career starts and placed in four others.

Among his graded victories are the Cigar Mile Handicap (G1), Woodward Stakes (G1), Remsen Stakes (G2), we have been Nashua Stakes (G2) and the Pennsylvania Derby (G2). Weber breaking our entire crop to race, but we don’t always purchased the Kentucky-bred know where the next racehorse will come from. The incolt as a yearling at the 2009 expensive homebred could outrun the million dollar Keeneland September sale out —Charlotte Weber of the Taylor Made consign- purchase. ment. He stands at Gainesway Farm near Lexington. itself through nine years of racing.”

Brilliant Speed, a Live Oak homebred, is also a rac“I think my operation survives because I give the ing millionaire, earning $1,203,531, including victories horses the time they need,” notes Weber. “Every horse in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and the Saranac gets a break from the track every year. Employees need a Stakes (G3). His breeding career began this season at vacation; so do horses. They need time to be a horse. I’ve Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky., where his sire, had horses in the past where we couldn’t figure out what the late Dynaformer, once stood. to do with them or what button to push, so we just brought Weber bred mares to both stallions this season. them home and turned them out. Nine months later, “We have these two active young stallions stand- they’re different animals.” Weber’s passion for racing is ing in Kentucky. They’re both grade one winners and as strong as it has ever been. Live Oak Plantation’s racing have all the credentials to have an impact on the in- stable is not huge by industry standards, but its horses can dustry,” says Hill, adding that, for the right situation, be found racing year-round, primarily in Florida and New

“The last three or four years ”

70 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

LiveOak_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:27 PM Page 71

CYNTHIA MCFARLAND PHOTO

York. Live Oak’s horses are campaigned by such trainers as Thomas Albertrani, Christophe Clement, Graham Motion, Bill Mott, Eddie Plesa and Michael Trombetta.

As an owner, Live Oak Plantation’s best year to date at the races came in 2006—the year Miesque’s Approval has his Breeders’ Cup victory—when Live Oak ranked second only to Darley Stable. Other top 10 rankings include third in 2005 and eighth in 2011. As of the first week of October, Live Oak Plantation runners had started 157 times, racking up 34 wins, 20 seconds and 18 thirds so far in 2013.

“Winning the Breeders’ Cup was really exciting. It’s very challenging to win a big grade one race,” says Weber, adding that one of her big goals is to “win some big classics.”

Live Oak Plantation’s best efforts to date in the Triple Crown include a second-place finish in the 1982 Ken-

tucky Derby (G1) with Laser Light and Brilliant Speed’s third-place finish in the 2011 Belmont Stakes (G1).

Weber hopes to improve on that in the future. To that end, Live Oak’s young horses begin their careers in the capable hands of farm trainer Randy Miles at the farm’s picturesque training facility, which features two modern 32-stall barns, two free walker exercise machines and a ¾-mile dirt track with starting gate.

The size of the operation also allows for diverse training options, such as trail riding through the woods and working over the European-style grass gallops. The facility’s quiet and relaxed setting is not only ideal for developing young horses, but also for refreshing older horses taking a break from the races.

Near the enormous live oak overlooking the track, a lifesize statue of a trainer checking his stop watch by artist J. Seward Johnson has caused many visitors to stop and look

One of the picturesque barns that grace Live Oak

LiveOak_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:27 PM Page 72

LIVE OAK STUD

Marking

45

twice. The statue is so life-like, one has to look closely before realizing it’s not an actual man standing there. It’s a testament to Weber’s love of art, as well as her sense of humor.

Although many people mistakenly think Live Oak is a private farm, it is indeed a commercial operation open to training client horses, as well as boarding mares, foals and yearlings.

At the yearling division, the Normandy barn remains one of the farm’s signature structures. With its unique Lshape design, clock tower and French influence, the 12stall barn was built in 1961 when Widener still owned the farm. It continues to be used regularly and Weber notes that over the years, a number of accomplished racehorses have spent time in its stalls as yearlings.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

Weber is actively involved in the industry as more than an owner and breeder. She is a member of The Jockey Club, a board member of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association (FTBOA), and a trustee of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. She received the 2005 Penny Chenery Most Dis-

In addition to putting the horses first, one of “ Weber’s highest priorities has always been to be a good steward of the land. The meticulous condition of the farm is testament to those principles.

”

tinguished Woman in Racing Award and her breeding operation has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading breeders multiple times.

In an era where racing, medication and violations are constantly in the news, Weber’s stance is firm.

“I think we absolutely need to have a level playing field for everybody. I would happily run without Lasix if everybody did, but if I run without it, I don’t want other horses running on it. I also think this might weed out some bad horses if they couldn’t run on it. If a horse is really a bleeder, he shouldn’t be running. But I don’t think Lasix is just about that; I think it covers other things.

“I’m not one who is for government being involved and having a set role in racing with legislation like the football leagues,” Weber adds, “but I wish we could control ourselves so we don’t lose the good people in racing.

Where there’s money, there’s greed and where there’s greed, there’s temptation and corruption.”

Weber is both angered and frustrated by racing’s inability thus far to come up with a way to create a truly level playing field for all participants.

“If the rules were universal so that every state had the same rules as to drug withdrawal times and the ac-

72 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

ceptable amounts that can be used, then the field would be more level,” she notes.

And when there are violations, Weber wishes the industry would do a better job of policing itself and strongly punish those who violate the rules.

“Why can’t we use the Jockey Club to hold papers (so horses can’t race if there are violations or positive drug tests)?” she asks. “We let trainers get away with blatant violations and just slap their hands.”

While the industry has evolved in recent decades, Weber finds not all changes have been positive. For example, while some will argue that “racinos” have helped some racetracks stay alive, she doesn’t believe enough of the money brought in by casino gambling benefits the actual racing.

“Once a casino negotiates with a track to come in, they need to set aside some of the money to put back into the track,” she states.

Everyone knows that racing needs “new blood,” Weber believes there are drawbacks when those new participants get into the game. “I think what Cot Campbell has done for the industry with partnerships is wonderful,” she says. “But partnerships also bring people in who don’t know the industry and have also inflated prices tremendously at the sales. I would like to see people get in racing who want to have fun and play by the rules and not just have a ‘quick fix.’”

She acknowledges that the breeding end of the business has also changed significantly.

“When I started this business, we didn’t have the big commercial breeders we do today. I think many people are just raising horses to sell. You used to breed a stallion to 40 mares. Now stallions are breeding to 120 mares or more and standing in both hemispheres. I think all this comes back to bite you. Too much of anything is not good. You’re breeding a lot of horses, but not necessarily a lot of good horses.”

LOVE OF HORSES

Weber is a game competitor and loves that side of racing, but she loves the horses even more. She is serious about doing right by her horses and that includes looking after them once their racing careers have ended.

“If they’ve given to me, I try to give back to them,” she says. “I try to bring most of them home. I do put some horses in claiming races, but we work to find good homes for our horses.”

There are currently at least ten retirees living the good life at Live Oak Stud, and that doesn’t include fillies who’ve retired to the broodmare band.

Among the pensioners at the farm, a strapping chestnut and a big gray graze companionably side by side.

LiveOak_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:27 PM Page 73

LOOKING AHEAD

CYNTHIA MCFARLAND PHOTOS

Those two happy geldings are none other than millionaire Revved Up and grade one winner High Fly, who earned close to a million dollars on the track. Graded winner Strategic Mission is turned out in a nearby field where he grazes contentedly near his buddy Most Distinguished, also a graded stakes winner.

“Mrs. Weber certainly understands the responsibility of taking care of retired horses,” says Hill, who encouraged her to geld her successful runners High Fly and Strategic Mission, once they were no longer used for breeding.

“We took a practical approach to it. Geldings are a whole lot happier than stallions. They’re herd animals, and they get to be turned out with other horses,” says Hill. “High Fly and Revved Up are in front of Mrs. Weber’s house, two great racehorses that are experiencing pleasure. There are horses around them, and they don’t care. They’re interested in what’s going on, but they’re not screaming and acting up. It’s a happy environment for them.

“We gave High Fly 30 days after he was gelded and had him in a paddock so he was introduced to Revved Up across the fence for a week,” recalls Hill. “When we turned them out together, there was no fussing or scuffling at all; they just dropped their heads and started grazing. They were immediate pals.”

When it became clear that Strategic Mission, who had been standing in Kentucky. wasn’t going to be heavily supported as a breeding stallion, Weber made the decision to bring him home. She then agreed with Hill that the horse would be better off as a gelding.

“A lot of people would ask, ‘How can you cut a horse at that age?’” says Weber, since Strategic Mission was gelded in his teens. “For a couple weeks things might not have been so pleasant for him, but the rest of his life will be very pleasant.”

Reflecting on the past 45 years in business, Weber is both pragmatic and optimistic.

“I’m very proud that I’ve been able to maintain myself in this business because the thoroughbred industry is very fragile. It’s more of an industry issue than a real estate issue,” she notes.

“I try to run the farm to make a profit and I do follow a business model,” says Weber. “I have a professionally focused team and try to surround myself with people who are horse and cattle professionals.”

In addition to putting the horses first, one of Weber’s highest priorities has always been to be a good steward of

the land. The meticulous condition of the farm is testament to those principles. She routinely replants trees, fertilizes, re-seeds and makes sure pastures are kept in prime condition.

Recent plans to make Highway 40 West into a four-lane road meant that a portion of Live Oak’s acreage along that highway was purchased by the state. The fence has come down and the second lane will soon be built on what was formerly pasture.

Some would call it progress. Weber grieves for the fact that change means less green space and more pavement.

“In the next 20 years, do you think people here will know what a big farm is?” she reflects.

One can only hope that a farm with as lengthy a history as Live Oak Stud will indeed remain and continue to flourish, an enduring testament to both the accomplishment of its horses and the dedication of the woman behind them. ■

An entrance to Live Oak displays the farm’s beauty

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 73

AroundCountry_Layout 1 10/17/13 9:45 AM Page 74

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

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

Sex Age Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date Track Fin Race Name

Grade/ Value Earngs

H 6 Full Mandate

Flambe'

Jack T. Hammer

9/28/13

BEL

1

Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational S. 1/$1,000,000 $600,000

Little Mike

G 6 Spanish Steps

Hay Jude

Carlo E. Vaccarezza

9/28/13

BEL

1

Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational S. 1/$600,000 $360,000

Mucho Macho Man H 5 Macho Uno

Ponche de Leona

John D Rio & Carole A Rio

9/28/13

SA

1

Awesome Again S.

Secret Kitten

F

Mossy Bank

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/28/13

CRC

1

Cassidy S.

$81,150

Pachanga Party

C 2 Indy Wind

Dicey Cat

Larry A. Bell

9/28/13

CRC

1

Birdonthewire S.

$80,100

$51,000

Parranda

F

Dynamic Feature

Kinsman Farm

9/28/13

GP

1

Our Dear Peggy S.

$100,000

$60,000

City of Weston

C 3 Holy Bull

How About Dattt

Haras Gran Derby

9/21/13

PRX

1

Gallant Bob S.

My Pal Chrisy

M 5 Alex's Pal

Strike South

Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc

9/21/13

GP

1

Musical Romance S.

Immortal Eyes

G 8 Greatness

Private Eyes

Adena Springs

9/21/13

LRL

1

Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. $350,000 $210,000

Hi Fashioned

C 2 Old Fashioned

Zamsweet

Arlene M. Powell

9/15/13

BSR

1

Barretts Juvenile S.

$100,000

$55,000

Dysprosium

G 3 Rock Hard Ten

Omi Diamond

Donald R. Dizney

9/14/13

CRC

1

Needles S.

$62,600

$42,000

Best Plan Yet

C 2 Hear No Evil

Bayou Plans

Jacks or Better Farm Inc.

9/14/13

CRC

1

Foolish Pleasure S.

$85,000

$51,000

Holiday Magic

F

Harliday

NTS Stable Inc.

9/14/13

CRC

1

Brave Raj S.

$85,000

$51,000

Black Diamond Cat G 6 Wildcat Heir

Sweet Glory

Mike Eckman Mark Ravenscraft & Debbie Ravenscraft 9/14/13

GP

1

Montbrook S.

$100,000

$60,000

Grandma’s Rules

F

4 Orientate

Four Plus Four

Glen Hill Farm

9/7/13

LAD

1

River Cities S.

$100,000

$60,000

Ondine

F

3 Medaglia d'Oro

Arrow in Flight

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/6/13

BSR

1

Beverly J. Lewis S.

$50,000

$28,000

Jessethemarine

C 2 With Distinction

Greek Key

Dream Builder Racing LLC

9/5/13

DEL

1

Whirling Ash S.

$50,250

$30,000

Egg Drop

F

Rehocracy

Centaur Farms Inc.

9/2/13

DMR

1

Yellow Ribbon H.

2/$151,000

$90,000

Stormofthecentury

G 5 Dark Kestrel

As of Now

University of Florida Foundation

9/2/13

PRX

1

Turf Monster H.

3/$350,000 $210,000

Positive Response

G 5 Pomeroy

Lisa's Approval

Rosebrook Farms LLC & Moreau Bloodstock Int’l. Inc

9/2/13

GG

1

Rolling Green S.

$53,600

Ribo Bobo

G 5 Louis Quatorze

Private Prom Party

Rapputi Stables LLC

9/2/13

MTH

1

Icecapade S.

$72,750

$45,000

Dance With Fate

C 2 Two Step Salsa

Flirting With Fate

Best A Luck Farm LLC

9/28/13

SA

2

FrontRunner S.

1/$251,250

$50,000

Chinita Mia

F

Homecoming Miss

Norman E. Casse

9/28/13

CRC

2

Cassidy S.

$81,150

$17,000

Pallium Prize

G 2 Gimmeawink

Cacoon

Jolane McAlister & Joseph Arboritanza

9/28/13

CRC

2

Birdonthewire S.

$80,100

$17,000

Millennia

M 6 Milwaukee Brew Sararegal

Adena Springs

9/28/13

GP

2

Our Dear Peggy S.

$100,000

$20,000

Hobbs

G 4 Put It Back

Minster Abbey

Minerva Stud LLC

9/26/13

DEL

2

With Anticipation S.

$50,250

$10,000

Irish Lute

F

Shaniowa

Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC

9/21/13

CD

2

Dogwood S.

3/$110,000

$21,780

Bad Debt

G 6 Grand Reward

Pleasant Ring

Pennston Farms Inc.

9/21/13

BEL

2

Who's To Pay S.

$100,000

$20,000

R Free Roll

F

Jewels N Gems

Richard Averill

9/21/13

CT

2

Charles Town Oaks

$400,000

$77,600

Appealing Stella

M 5 Closing Argument Rucielo

Stonecliff Farm

9/21/13

GP

2

Musical Romance S.

$115,000

$20,000

Union Cash

G 2 Dixie Union

Cash Storm

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/14/13

CRC

2

Foolish Pleasure S.

$85,000

$17,000

Quinnkat

F

2 D'wildcat

Cry At My Wedding

LynnDale Farm

9/14/13

CRC

2

Brave Raj S.

$85,000

$17,000

Nicki Starshine

F

3 Milwaukee Brew Etaria

Sunshine Thoroughbred Corp.

9/14/13

CRC

2

Judy's Red Shoes S.

$56,800

$14,000

Grande Shores

H 5 Black Mambo

Sexy Stockings

Jacks or Better Farm Inc.

9/14/13

GP

2

Montbrook S.

$100,000

$20,000

Here’s Johnny

G 2 Colonel John

Bon Caro

Rick Sutherland

9/14/13

KD

2

Kentucky Downs Juvenile S.

$117,250

$21,950

Super Chunky

G 7 Put It Back

Chunky Cheeks

Michael G Marks & Robert Werneth

9/8/13

PID

2

Presque Isle Mile S.

$250,600

$50,000

4 English Channel

2 Congrats

4 Alphabet Soup

2 Circular Quay

3 Midnight Lute 3 Rockport Harbor

Mucho Macho Man/Awesome Again S.

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

Ron the Greek/Jockey Club Gold Cup Inv. S.

74 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

1/$251,250 $150,000 $51,000

3/$300,000 $180,000 $115,000

Little Mike/Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Inv. S.

$75,000

$30,300

COGLIANESE PHOTO

2 Discreet Cat

COADY PHOTO

Ron the Greek

AroundCountry_Layout 1 10/17/13 9:45 AM Page 75

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—STAKES RACES Continued Win/Place/Show Horse Name

Sex Age Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Fin

Race Name

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Ruler of Love

C 3 Peace Rules

Lovmeaton

Faye W. Little

9/7/13

LAD

2

Super Derby

2/$490,000

$90,000

Dance With Fate

C 2 Two Step Salsa

Flirting With Fate

Best A Luck Farm LLC

9/4/13

DMR

2

Del Mar Futurity

1/$301,500

$60,000

Tightend Touchdown G 4 Pure Precision

Starry Mark

Chad Stewart & Laurie Stewart

9/2/13

PRX

2

Turf Monster H.

3/$350,000

$70,000

Speak Logistics

C 3 High Cotton

Miss Sabrina

Centaur Farms Inc.

9/2/13

PRX

2

Smarty Jones S.

3/$350,000

$70,000

Nesso

F

Devotedness

Donald R. Dizney

9/2/13

DMR

2

Oak Tree Juvenile Fillies Turf S.

$100,750

$20,000

Immortal Eyes

G 8 Greatness

Private Eyes

Adena Springs

9/2/13

MTH

2

Icecapade S.

$72,750

$15,000

Joe Pike

C 2 Benny the Bull

Allofeverything

Joanna Reisler

9/1/13

CMR

2

Clasico Jose Coll Vidal S.

3/$33,464

$7,120

Yes Liz

F

For Scarlett

El Batey Farm LLC

9/1/13

MTH

2

Sorority S.

$104,000

$20,000

Flat Out

H 7 Flatter

Cresta Lil

Nikolaus Bock

9/28/13

BEL

3

Jockey Club Gold Cup Invitational S.

Creative License

F

Miss Fear Factor

Elijah Bailey

9/28/13

GP

3

Our Dear Peggy S.

2 Roman Ruler

2 Yes It's True 3 Showing Up

1/$1,000,000 $100,000 $100,000

$10,000

Gourmet Dinner

H 5 Trippi

Potluck Dinner

Ocala Stud & WILLIAM J TERRILL

9/26/13

DEL

3

With Anticipation S.

$50,250

$5,500

Brays Secret

G 2 Denis of Cork

Be Quick Spice

Linda Murphy

9/26/13

PID

3

Fitz Dixon Jr. Memorial Juvenile S.

$99,500

$10,000

Shadow Runner

R 4 Invisible Ink

Poly Pop a Top

Joan Dubois

9/22/13

BSR

3

Ralph M. Hinds H.

$100,000

$12,250

Battier

C 3 Tale of the Cat

Whobabydatiz

Loren Nichols & Dr Joseph Tripi

9/21/13

PRX

3

Pennsylvania Derby

Keep the Canoli

G 3 Imperialism

Sicilian Soul

Red Oak Stable

9/16/13

DEL

3

Ricci Tavi S.

$50,375

$5,500

Copa Del Rey

G 2 With Distinction

Madama Butterfly

Kathleen Amaya

9/14/13

CRC

3

Foolish Pleasure S.

$85,000

$9,350

Scripture ’n Verse

F

2 Saint Anddan

Redeeming Grace

Jacks or Better Farm Inc.

9/14/13

CRC

3

Brave Raj S.

$85,000

$9,350

Dreamlicious

F

3 Ecclesiastic

Gratorious

Hidden Point Farm Inc.

9/14/13

CRC

3

Judy's Red Shoes S.

$56,800

$7,700

Majestic Express

G 5 Express Tour

Return of Mom

A. Clare Silva

9/14/13

GP

3

Montbrook S.

$100,000

$10,000

Reporting Star

G 3 Circular Quay

Classic Beauty

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/8/13

HST

3

British Columbia Derby

3/$150,000

$16,500

North Pacific

R 3 Master Command Quelle Surprise

Haras Santa Maria de Araras S.A.

9/8/13

BSR

3

Jim Kostoff S.

Miss Derek

F

Quick Text

Scott Lanier

9/8/13

HST

3

Miss Addison

M 6 Orientate

Surprise K

Gem Racing Inc.

9/7/13

LAD

Joe Hollywood

H 5 Congrats

A True Star

Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung

9/7/13

LAD

Lunarwarfare

C 2 War Pass

Lunar Star

Shadybrook Farm Inc

9/2/13

Den’s Legacy

C 3 Medaglia d'Oro

Sunshine Song

Gaye Swartz

9/1/13

3 Brother Derek

2/$1,000,000 $111,200

$50,000

$5,000

British Columbia Oaks

$100,000

$11,000

3

River Cities S.

$100,000

$11,000

3

Temperence Hill S.

SAR

3

DMR

3

$50,000

$5,500

Hopeful S.

1/$300,000

$30,000

Del Mar Derby

2/$251,250

$30,00

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

Sex Age

Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Fin

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Rojo Verde

G

4

Songandaprayer

Sailor Pluto

Devil Eleven Stable

9/29/13

AP

1

$39,000

$23,400

Courtney Ryan

F

4

With Distinction

Rare Treasure

Vince Haydock

9/29/13

CRC

1

$23,050

$14,530

Uptown Anthem

G

3

Gottcha Gold

Strike the Harp

Robert B Shoukry

9/29/13

GP

1

$34,700

$21,300

Gurkha

M

6

February Storm

Burmese

Spring Hill Farm

9/28/13

MNR

1

$25,300

$15,180

Oxford Lass

F

3

B L's Appeal

Streams of Light

Monarch Stables

9/28/13

SUF

1

$18,620

$11,400

Mr Weaver

G

4

Roar of the Tiger

Beauallis

Ponder Hill Farm Inc.

9/27/13

MNR

1

$28,400

$17,608

Dazzled Saint

G

6

Saint Afleet

Safe At Home

Francis Rover

9/26/13

PID

1

$44,200

$26,400

Dawn’s Song

M

7

Unbridled Time

American Dawn

Betty King

9/25/13

CMR

1

$7,650

$4,437

Momma’s Happy

G

4

Spanish Steps

Beautiful Caroline

Thomas L. Croley

9/25/13

DEL

1

$41,690

$26,640

Ft. Deposit

G

3

Olmodavor

Cloudy Advise

Freddie Hyatt

9/24/13

PID

1

$38,600

$21,600

Superlook

G

7

Double Honor

Super Popular

Wilfredo Agusti Jr.

9/24/13

SUF

1

$18,620

$11,400

Determinato

G

5

Closing Argument

Twilight Mirage

Frank Marano

9/21/13

CRC

1

$34,000

$20,820

Ozilda’s Last Son

G

5

Da Stoops

Oh Say's Ozilda

Robert C. Reddick Sr. & Marvin R. Saurbier

9/21/13

SUF

1

$18,620

$11,400

Just Win Baby

R

3

The Daddy

The Shulamite

Greg Norman

9/20/13

MD

1

$3,400

$2,006

Sheer Drama

F

3

Burning Roma

Riveting Drama

Harold L. Queen

9/19/13

LRL

1

$41,160

$23,940

Bodacious Barb

M

5

Agnes Gold (JPN)

Fleeting Kiss

Susan S Stark

9/19/13

PID

1

$36,630

$22,200

Lapantalones Fance F

4

Roar of the Tiger

Penne

Deborah Thomas

9/18/13

SUF

1

$18,620

$11,400

Act of Madness

G

3

Act of Duty

Touch of Madness

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/16/13

PID

1

$36,920

$21,600

Mama’s Firecracker F

3

D'wildcat

Unholy Night

Cavendish Investing LTD.

9/15/13

BEU

1

$7,100

$4,260

Strapping

G

3

Put It Back

Vienna Knickers

David Palmer & Teresa Palmer

9/15/13

MNR

1

$22,200

$13,320

Fiery Marco

C

3

Marco Bay

Fiery Queen

Joseph C. Powers Jr. DVM

9/15/13

TDN

1

$15,000

$9,000

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 75

und The Country

Florida-Breds Aro

AroundCountry_Layout 1 10/17/13 9:45 AM Page 76

Florida-Breds Aro

The Country und

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

Sex Age

Sire

Dam

Breeder

Tactical Image

G 3

Halo's Image

Dont Say No Sierra

Just For Fun Stables

Date

Track

Fin

Grade/ Value

Earngs

9/13/13

MNR

1

$22,200

$13,542

Jack’s the Won

G 3

Black Mambo

Political Wife

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/13/13

PEN

1

$32,240

$18,600

Steel Cable

G 3

Cowtown Cat

Ashlee's Lady

Brambly Lane Farm & Steve Dwoskin

9/10/13

MNR

1

$22,200

$13,098

I Wanda Win

G 4

With Distinction

Awanda

Janet Erwin

9/10/13

PRX

1

$52,840

$28,800

Choose Honour

M 6

Honour and Glory

B B Choice

Liam Benson

9/9/13

MNR

1

$22,200

$13,320

Mind Spell

G 3

Proud Accolade

I'm a Love Bug

Bridlewood Farm

9/8/13

GP

1

$34,700

$21,300

Pure Legacy

F

Simon Pure

Legacy's Silver

Kelly Warhurst

9/8/13

GP

1

$34,100

$21,300

D’wop d’Wop

G 4

D'wildcat

Swan Lake

Teresa D H Murphy & Steven A Murphy DVM

9/8/13

PID

1

$36,040

$21,600

Stone Cold Crazy

M 5

Mass Media

Debs Li'l Escapade

Richard D. Daniels Jr. & Cynthia B. Daniels

9/7/13

LAD

1

$23,300

$13,200 $11,400

4

My Valentino

G 5

Pomeroy

Dance Delight

Helen Marie Napolitano

9/7/13

SUF

1

$18,620

Ten Plush

F

Rock Hard Ten

Mystery Bullet

Hickstead Farm

9/6/13

ALB

1

$12,000

$7,200

Just Jebicah

G 7

Full Mandate

Starship Heaven

Steve A. Williams

9/6/13

CBY

1

$34,000

$20,400

It Takes Heart

G 4

Put It Back

Halo's Geisha

Mark Lloyd & Mildred J. Martinez

9/4/13

SUF

1

$18,620

$11,400

3

Author Bob

G 4

Concerto

Sequentially

Dahl Farms LLC

9/4/13

TDN

1

$15,000

$9,300

Joyous Music

M 5

Bellamy Road

Pyrite Queen

John O. Sutton

9/2/13

TIM

1

$34,300

$19,950

Van Citra

G 4

Van Nistelrooy

Ahorita

Woodsfield Farm

9/29/13

GP

2

$34,700

$7,320

Mimi’s Sugar

F

Pure Prize

Sugaree

Janet S Wagoner

9/28/13

SUF

2

$18,620

$3,800

4

Evil Doer

G 5

With Distinction

Got Gear

R Legacy Racing & Lonnie Stokes

9/26/13

PID

2

$44,200

$8,800

Justforgetaboutit

G 3

Gottcha Gold

Rebooked

Cavendish Investing LTD.

9/24/13

SUF

2

$18,620

$3,800

Sunset Silhouette

F

2

Wildcat Heir

Premier Peak

Debra Posgai

9/22/13

GP

2

$43,400

$9,800

Brush Creek Honey

F

4

Indian Ocean

Doc's Honey

Dr. & Mrs. James Gamble

9/22/13

PRX

2

$50,112

$9,600

Prince Lion

G 3

Purge

Princess Lana

Do Little Farm LLC & Leon Sniadecky

9/21/13

CMR

2

$7,497

$1,530

Mel Beach

G 4

Pomeroy

Stars in Your Eyes

Jacalyn Menefee

9/21/13

CRC

2

$34,000

$7,396

Forget That Gal

F

3

Cowtown Cat

Memory Rock

Lucas Farm Inc & Menefee

9/20/13

AP

2

$49,920

$7,800

Sky Skier

F

3

Sky Mesa

Uphill Skier

New Farm

9/20/13

LRL

2

$42,000

$8,820 $8,820

Miss Dayna Lee

F

4

Western Pride

Punkins Wild

Ben M. Myres & Mildred Thompson

9/20/13

LRL

2

$42,000

Long Legged Girl

F

4

Wekiva Springs

Viski

Maria Montez Haire

9/19/13

LRL

2

$41,160

$8,820

Historical Fact

F

4

Seize the Day

Historical

Harry D. Burns

9/18/13

TDN

2

$15,000

$3,000

Winery

M 5

Orchard Park

Quit Complaining

Vegso Racing Stable

9/17/13

SUF

2

$18,620

$3,800

A J Princemambo

G 4

Black Mambo

A. J.'s Hot Shot

Peter Fuller

9/16/13

SUF

2

$18,620

$3,800

Circular Quay

Silver Scandal

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/15/13

PRX

2

$51,500

$9,600

Rhonda’s Lemondrop F

3

Big Foot Ben

C 3

Got the Last Laugh

Enchanted Woods

Zayat Stables LLC

9/14/13

ALB

2

$13,400

$2,814

Highly Favoured

G 6

Closing Argument

Rainbow Wish

Grace McNeill & Jeremy McNeill

9/14/13

MD

2

$5,300

$1,007

Miss Pasco County

M 5

Gibson County

Kiss n'Tell

Deirdre M. Wulff

9/11/13

SUF

2

$18,620

$3,800

Preeminent

M 5

Your Eminence

She's Independent

Glen Hill Farm

9/9/13

MNR

2

$22,200

$4,440

Frontier Days

F

Rapid Runner

G 6

3

Wagon Limit

Cheyann Uprising

CJ Equine

9/8/13

AP

2

$39,000

$7,800

Rationalexuberance

Satine Rouge

Francis McDonnell

9/8/13

CMR

2

$10,788

$2,295

Purchango

G 2

Two Step Salsa

Pitch a Penny

Roger Block

9/8/13

GP

2

$44,100

$10,640

Black Karma

G 3

Black Mambo

Sweet Judgement

Annabel Murphy & William F. Murphy

9/8/13

GP

2

$34,700

$7,640

Gurkha

M 6

February Storm

Burmese

Spring Hill Farm

9/7/13

MNR

2

$25,300

$5,060

Ozilda’s Last Son

G 5

Da Stoops

Oh Say's Ozilda

Robert C. Reddick Sr. & Marvin R. Saurbier

9/4/13

SUF

2

$18,620

$3,800

Love My Way

F

Pomeroy

Big City Joy

Rick Sutherland

9/2/13

PM

2

$8,500

$1,700

Mountain Thunder

G 6

4

Skip to the Stone

Funder Powers

Thorobeam Farm

9/1/13

BEU

2

$7,400

$1,480

Great Rising Star

H 5

Greatness

Cat's Evil I.

Marilyn Seltzer & Beth Bayer

9/29/13

GP

3

$34,700

$3,520

D’wop d’Wop

G 4

D'wildcat

Swan Lake

Teresa D H Murphy & Steven A Murphy DVM

9/29/13

MNR

3

$25,300

$2,530

Robynsperfectdancr

M 5

Perfect Fusion

Shesa Robyn Dancer

B. Brooke McCauley

9/28/13

SUF

3

$18,620

$1,900

Dontbothermenow

G 3

Indy Wind

Black Light Dancer

David J. Markgraf

9/28/13

SUF

3

$18,620

$1,900

Chang

M 6

Burning Roma

Cho Chang

Harold Queen

9/28/13

TDN

3

$15,000

$1,500

Triple Cross

G 3

Werblin

Scoot On By

Gail Rice

9/26/13

PID

3

$44,200

$4,400

Quite the Face

G 3

Straight Faced

Quite the Light

J D Farms

9/24/13

PID

3

$38,600

$3,600

Samson Road

G 6

Diligence

Tassless

Gerald Saunier & Ruth Saunier

9/22/13

PID

3

$44,680

$3,600

County Gun

H 5

Gibson County

Golden Top Gun

North Star Equine Inc.

9/21/13

CRC

3

$34,000

$3,698

76 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Chase2Champ_Nov_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 1:12 PM Page 52

Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship ” Point Standings through October 11, 2013.

Horse (sire)

Breeder

Owner

Trainer

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Dance With Fate - 20 Best Plan Yet - 6 My Brown Eyed Guy - 6

Best A Luck Farm LLC Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Gilbert G. Campbell

Alesia, Sharon, Bran Jam Stable and Ciaglia Racing LLC Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. Campbell, Gilbert

Peter Eurton S. Gold K. O'Connell

Gilbert G. Campbell NTS Stable, Inc. Sienna Farms LLC

Campbell, Gilbert Pinnacle Racing Stables, Hendricks, H. Jack and Justice, Roger L. Establo Rafanil

K. O'Connell W. Kaplan M. Gantus

Gaye Swartz.

Faye W. Little Haras Gran Derby

Westrock Stables LLC Rebro Jr. Matthew N. Coniglio Frank Ritman Sidney and Rendina Richard Cloud Nine Lumoni

Bob Baffert Joan Scott Antonio Sano

Tara Helman & Paul Helman Stud El Aguila Glen Hill Farm

Rontos Racing Stable Corp.

Alex and JoAnn Lieblong Glen Hill Farm

M. Azpurua Steve Hobby T. Proctor

Jerry Hollendorfer and Sweetwater Stable Preston Stables LLC Brous Stable Wachtel Stable and Hammer Jack T.

Jerry Hollendorfer William Mott William Mott

Tony''s Investments LLC Steven Ciccarone Little Red Feather Racing Farnsworth Stables LLC

Padarath Lutchman Michelle Nihe M. Mitchell Martin Wolfson

Two-Year-Old Filly Scandalous Act - 6 Holiday Magic - 5 Split the Queens - 5

Three-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Den's Legacy - 14 Ruler of Love - 9 City of Weston - 8

Three-Year-Old Filly Wildcat Lilly - 23 Marathon Lady - 18 Wishing Gate - 15

Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding) Sahara Sky - 35 Flat Out - 28 Ron the Greek - 27

Martin Stables Inc. Nikolaus Bock Jack T. Hammer

Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare) My Pal Chrisy - 11 Regalo Mia - 10 Egg Drop - 8 Golden Mystery - 8

Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc Juvenal Diaz Centaur Farms, Inc Adena Springs

Male Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up, Colt/Gelding race distances one mile and less) Sahara Sky - 35 Comma to the Top - 20 Bahamian Squall - 16

Martin Stables Inc. Richard & Linda Thompson Donald R. Dizney

Jerry Hollendorfer and Sweetwater Stable Gary Barber, Roger Birnbaum & Kevin Tsujihara Donald Dizney

Jerry Hollendorfer Peter Miller David Fawkes

Female Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up, Filly/Mare, race distances one mile and less) Wildcat Lilly - 23 My Pal Chrisy - 11 Irish Lute - 6

Tara Helman & Paul Helman Shade Tree Thoroughbreds Inc Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC

Rontos Racing Stable Corp.

Tony''s Investments LLC Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC

M. Azpurua Padarath Lutchman Dallas Stewart

Robert V. LaPenta and B.J. Wright Vaccarezza, Priscilla Resolute Group Stables

Michael Pender D. Romans Michelle Nevin

Glen Hill Farm Farnsworth Stables LLC Last Call Racing Partnership

T. Proctor Martin Wolfson R. Scherer

Male Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up, Colt/Gelding, races run on the turf) Jeranimo - 20 Little Mike - 15 Teaks North - 12

Brylynn Farm Inc. Carlo E. Vaccarezza Brylynn Farm Inc.

Female Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up, Filly/Mare, races run on the turf) Wishing Gate - 15 Golden Mystery - 8 Grandma's Rules - 4

Glen Hill Farm Adena Springs Glen Hill Farm

■ For complete standings check us out on the web at www.ftboa.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

■ Open-Company Stakes ($50,000 + Purse) Points for WIN ONLY: Win: 2 points THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 77

AroundCountry_Layout 1 10/17/13 9:46 AM Page 78

Florida-Breds Aro

The Country und

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

Sex Age

Sire

G 6 Peace Rules

Date

Track

Fin

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Volunteer Stable

9/20/13

FP

3

$12,540

$950

Dam

Breeder

Klickitat

Ek Haseena

F

3 Songandaprayer

Deed

Devil Eleven Stable A. Francis Vanlangendonck & Barbara Vanlangen

9/20/13

LRL

3

$42,000

$4,620

Maravillosa Pena

F

2 Teuflesberg

East Lake Classic

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

9/19/13

CMR

3

$11,900

$1,190

Tap It Easy

F

3 Tapit

Victory Pool

New Farm

9/19/13

LRL

3

$41,160

$4,620

Channel the Green

F

4 English Channel

Grab the Green

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Rogers Jr.

9/19/13

LRL

3

$42,000

$4,620

Alpha Slew

G 3 Alphabet Soup

Seattle Showers

Ruben Sierra

9/18/13

DEL

3

$37,375

$4,070

Aloha Daddy

G 3 The Daddy

Exclusive Chic

GotWonRunnin Farm

9/17/13

MNR

3

$37,100

$3,710

Blessed Day

G 5 Wildcat Heir

Always Freezing

Robert L. Dodd Tonya Jurgens & Dry Creek Stables LLC

9/15/13

WYO

3

$3,200

$352

Ozilda’s Last Son

G 5 Da Stoops

Oh Say's Ozilda

Robert C. Reddick Sr. & Marvin R. Saurbier

9/14/13

SUF

3

$18,620

$1,900 $2,800

Stormy Acre

G 4 West Acre

Precise Storm

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/13/13

CT

3

$28,200

Rapid Mizz

F

3 Mizzen Mast

Crispy Lights

Hannahill Farm

9/13/13

LBG

3

$3,000

$360

Midnight Call

G 3 Grand Slam

Littlebitsaintly

Helen Barbazon & Joseph Barbazon

9/12/13

CT

3

$28,200

$2,800

My Favorite Queen

F

3 Rey de Cafe

Before the Thunder

English Stables Inc.

9/11/13

CMR

3

$10,788

$1,148

Mimi’s Sugar

F

4 Pure Prize

Sugaree

Janet S Wagoner

9/11/13

SUF

3

$18,620

$1,900

My Hot Chili

G 3 Omega Code

Hotesse (CHI)

Red Oak Stable

9/10/13

MNR

3

$22,200

$2,220

We Want Revenge

F

3 Olmodavor

Rocket Royale

Robert Christensen & Thomas Sweeney

9/9/13

PID

3

$36,040

$3,600

You Bought Her

F

3 Graeme Hall

Striking T

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

9/8/13

AP

3

$39,000

$3,900

Vinny’s Wildcat

C 2 Wildcat Heir

B L's Vinnys Girl

Frank Bertolino

9/8/13

GP

3

$44,100

$5,320

Distinct Affair

F

Danielle's Affair

Helen Marie Napolitano

9/7/13

CD

3

$45,741

$4,260

Colorful Tune

M 7 Concorde's Tune

Colorful Character

Ronald L Lewis

9/6/13

BRN

3

$2,200

$286

Keyhole

G 7 Delaware Township

Mintess

Bryan R. Baker

9/4/13

SUF

3

$18,620

$1,900

Silver Scandal

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/3/13

PRX

3

$48,000

$5,280

Stars in Your Eyes

Eugene Melnyk

9/3/13

SUF

3

$18,620

$1,900

Rhonda’s Lemondrop F Mangrove Pond

3 With Distinction

3 Circular Quay

G 6 Forest Wildcat

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

Sex Age Sire

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Fin

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Imaginethatmom

G 2 Imperialism

Songsimage

Shadybrook Farm Inc

9/29/13

CRC

1

$23,800

$13,200

Pearl de Vere

F

The Dove

Marablue Farm LLC

9/29/13

SA

1

$48,750

$28,800

3 Songandaprayer

Bear’s Cowboy

C 2 Two Step Salsa

Kats Golden Ways

Vogt Farms

9/29/13

WO

1

$59,612

$33,540

Bluesville

F

Porticipation

Wesley Ward

9/28/13

CRC

1

$28,000

$17,400

Telcontar

C 2 Aragorn (IRE)

See U At My Window Darsan Inc.

9/28/13

GP

1

$46,000

$28,200

Puddifoot

F

Theresa's Tizzy

Peachtree Stable

9/28/13

MTH

1

$36,000

$21,600

Kids Rule

C 2 Lemon Drop Kid

Noisette

Haras Santa Maria de Araras S.A.

9/27/13

AP

1

$38,000

$22,800

United States Won

G 3 Candy Ride (ARG)

Atlantic Frost

Bridlewood Farm

9/27/13

LRL

1

$40,000

$22,800

Paint the Moon

G 3 Malibu Moon

Paint Me Red

Lambholm

9/27/13

MNR

1

$19,400

$11,252

Award

F

Our Royal Lady

Glen Hill Farm

9/25/13

PID

1

$37,550

$21,000

Citrus Drive

G 3 Lemon Drop Kid

Elle Runaway

Live Oak Stud

9/25/13

PID

1

$35,050

$21,000

We’re All Set

C 2 With Distinction

True Glitter

Curtis Mikkelsen& Patricia Horth Gordon Reiss & Lindie Reiss

9/22/13

CRC

1

$33,000

$22,400

Golden Friendships

F

2 With Distinction

Golden Legacy

Bettina Gates Stevens

9/21/13

CRC

1

$33,000

$22,400

Victoriavanquisher

F

2 With Distinction

Port Isabel

Oliver Brooks Joseph Barbazon & Helen Barbazon

9/21/13

PRX

1

$92,500

$55,200

2 Bring the Heat 2 Red Giant

3 Midnight Lute

Duty Proper

C 2 Exclusive Quality

Hay Cheif

Richard Tortora & Mary Tortora

9/21/13

SUF

1

$17,640

$10,800

Odlum

G 3 Concerto

Bells of Shandon

Irish Acres Farm

9/21/13

SUF

1

$17,640

$10,800

King Kona

C 2 The Green Monkey

Teagan's Girl

John Patitucci

9/20/13

NP

1

$15,737

$9,660

Zooma

F

3 Wised Up

Summer Sister

Carlos A. Diago

9/19/13

PID

1

$34,850

$21,000

Pataskala

F

3 Future Lover

Miss Molliemac

Richard E. Wilson

9/18/13

TDN

1

$14,000

$8,400

Notyouraveragejoe

C 2 Discreet Cat

Jule Royale

Darsan Inc. & Darley

9/15/13

GP

1

$44,800

$28,200

Hot to Seek Her

C 2 Heatseeker (IRE)

Gods Ear

Katherine Devall & Heatseeker Syndicate

9/15/13

MTH

1

$36,000

$21,600

Bolita Boyz

C 2 Act of Duty

Starstruck Vicky

Gilbert G. Campbell

9/14/13

CRC

1

$28,000

$17,400

Wildcat Red

C 2 D'wildcat

Racene

Moreau Bloodstock International Inc. & Winter Racing Enterprise I

9/14/13

GP

1

$46,000

$28,200

Super Fantasy

F

No Beans

Robert and Audrey Tenney Rev. Trust

9/14/13

GP

1

$46,000

$28,200

Rodriguez

G 2 It's No Joke

Way West Dolly

Kevin O’Gorman

9/13/13

CBY

1

$25,000

$15,000

2 War Chant

78 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

AroundCountry_Layout 1 10/17/13 9:46 AM Page 79

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT Continued Win/Place/Show Horse Name

Sex Age Sire 2 Congrats

Dam

Breeder

Zoobie

The Jerome G. Bozzo Trust

Date Track CRC

Grade/ Value

Earngs

1

$28,000

$17,400

Flutterby

F

El Cisne Negro

C 4 With Distinction

Dual Monarchy

Marcos Arenas

9/13/13

TDN

1

$14,000

$8,400

Mexikoma

C 2 Birdstone

Toccet Over

Hickstead Farm

9/12/13

DEL

1

$38,250

$22,800

Echale Salsita

F

2 Two Step Salsa

Millenium Sky

Chad Johnson & Michelle Johnson

9/11/13

DEL

1

$35,500

$21,000

Git On Bob

G 4 Awesome of Course

Forsake Me Not

Robert F. Halliday

9/9/13

SUF

1

$17,640

$10,800

Checkered Cab

G 3 Double Honor

Glory City

Jennifer Hayford

9/7/13

ASD

1

$11,820

$7,200

Pomeroy Angel

F

Mystical Susan

Angela Ingenito

9/7/13

GP

1

$45,400

$28,200

Mister Master

G 2 Master Command

Goodies Galore

Donarra Thoroughbreds LLC

9/6/13

TDN

1

$14,000

$9,100

Autobahn Legend

G 3 Smart Strike

Autobahn Girl

Live Oak Stud

9/5/13

PID

1

$34,850

$21,000

Fabulous Miss Bea

F

2 Bernstein

Fabulous Sun

Farm III Enterprises & Off The Hook Partners LLC

9/3/13

IND

1

$35,001

$21,001

She’s Spooky

F

3 With Distinction

Silver Spook

Tim James Mawhinney & Karen Faye Mawhinney

9/2/13

GP

1

$34,100

$21,300

2 Pomeroy

9/13/13

Fin

Brays Secret

G 2 Denis of Cork

Be Quick Spice

Linda Murphy

9/2/13

PID

1

$34,850

$21,000

Bronx Diva

F

Bronx Cheer

Lori A. Smock

9/2/13

SUF

1

$17,640

$10,800

Powerful Soul

C 2 Montbrook

Powerful Two Punch

Kirk Laneve

9/2/13

TIM

1

$29,400

$17,100

Courtesan

F

Lady Discreet

Ocala Stud & Joseph M. O’Farrell III & John David O’Farrell et al.

9/1/13

SAR

1

$85,000

$51,000

Donegal Hall

C 2 Graeme Hall

Cedar Rose

Mary Robinson

9/29/13

CRC

2

$23,800

$5,820

Ruby On My Mind

F

Eyepopnruby

LeAnne M. Robbins

9/29/13

GP

2

$41,200

$9,200

Just Foolin Around

G 3 Keyed Entry

Very Laughable

Larry Foggle

9/29/13

MTH

2

$36,000

$7,200 $6,840

3 Indian Ocean

2 Street Sense

2 Congrats

Brendan G

C 2 Chapel Royal

Tobin's Fortune

Jorge Tabraue

9/29/13

MTH

2

$37,584

Think in Pink

F

3 Gimmeawink

Pyrite of Way

Dr. D. W. Frazier

9/29/13

TDN

2

$14,000

$2,800

Rated Xtreme

F

2 Magna Graduate

Tartufi

June M. Gourvellec

9/28/13

CRC

2

$28,000

$5,820

Gelfenstein

C 2 Mr. Sekiguchi

Dixieland Event

Farm III Enterprises LLC and Off The Hook Partners LLC

9/28/13

GP

2

$46,000

$9,200

Big N Toasty

F

2 Brother Derek

Key Lime Secret

Alan Parker & Janet W. Hoke DVM

9/27/13

LRL

2

$40,000

$8,400

Yemanja

F

2 Henny Hughes

Money Queen

Family Broodmares IV

9/25/13

KD

2

$84,245

$9,000

Burnaway

G 3 Burning Roma

Carolyn's Way

Harold L. Queen

9/25/13

PID

2

$35,050

$7,000

Gray Beau

G 3 Imperialism

Please Pick Me

Verbarctic Farm

9/23/13

SUF

2

$17,640

$3,600

Mergin’ Mike

G 2 Consolidator

Broadway Martha

Jolane McAlister & Bailey Bolen

9/22/13

CRC

2

$33,000

$5,820

Marywiththeblueyes

F

3 Showing Up

Appealing Ms Sword

Joe Carroll & Kris Carroll

9/22/13

PRX

2

$47,000

$9,200

Tempest’s Flash

F

2 It's No Joke

Chelsies' Way

Stonewall Farm Ocala

9/21/13

CRC

2

$33,000

$6,040

Distinctivelyalady

F

4 With Distinction

Turbo Topper

Michelle Redding & Ponder Hill

9/21/13

DEL

2

$38,125

$7,600

Swinging Chango

C 3 Senor Swinger

Fountain of Truth

Norman Dellheim & Peggy Dellheim

9/21/13

MNR

2

$19,400

$3,880

Delightful Liz

F

Song and Delight

Tax-Free Strategies LLC FBO Craig L. Wheeler

9/19/13

DEL

2

$38,125

$7,600

Polished Degree

C 2 Congrats

Polished Trick

Four Horsemen’s Ranch

9/16/13

PID

2

$40,950

$7,000

2 Limehouse

Adellusion

F

2 With Distinction

Starlet Note

Rick Tattoli

9/15/13

AP

2

$38,000

$7,600

Candy Man Can

G 2 Lemon Drop Kid

Snow Cone

Live Oak Stud

9/15/13

MTH

2

$36,000

$7,200

Summer in Bali

F

Bali Silver

Susan Kahn

9/15/13

PID

2

$35,850

$7,000

Blueblend

C 2 Bluegrass Cat

Blended Beauty

Vegso Racing Stable

9/14/13

AP

2

$38,000

$7,600

Rasta Rant

C 2 Act of Duty

Unholy Night

Stone Alley

9/14/13

CRC

2

$28,000

$5,600

We’re All Set

C 2 With Distinction

True Glitter

Curtis Mikkelsen& Patricia Horth Gordon Reiss & Lindie Reiss

9/14/13

GP

2

$46,000

$9,200

Love My Empire

F

Lovely Rafaela

Live Oak Stud

9/14/13

GP

2

$46,000

$8,800

Kwacha

G 2 Exchange Rate

Zambia

Glen Hill Farm

9/13/13

AP

2

$51,680

$7,600

Valdina Saint

C 3 Tiz Wonderful

Witchful Saint

Hickstead Farm

9/13/13

CD

2

$44,347

$8,160

Golden Finish

F

Ponche de Leona

John D. Rio & Carole A. Rio

9/13/13

CRC

2

$28,000

$5,600

Right Now

G 4 Tiznow

Bond Queen

BryLynn Farm

9/12/13

FL

2

$23,760

$4,200

Starry Storm

F

Stareaux

Vic Carlson

9/12/13

PEN

2

$30,660

$6,000

Thundergram

C 2 Graeme Hall

Parental Uproar

Stanley Boileau

9/7/13

CD

2

$45,144

$8,160

2 In Summation

2 Empire Maker

2 Chestertown Slew

2 Stormy Jack

You Never Learn

F

2 Keyed Entry

Baby Be Good

Murray Stroud

9/7/13

GP

2

$45,400

$10,000

Faith Hall

F

2 High Cotton

Angelic Amanda

Janet Erwin

9/7/13

GP

2

$41,800

$9,600

Proud Patriot

C 2 Proud Citizen

Vintage Champagne

Dr. Allen Lefkowitz

9/7/13

SUF

2

$17,640

$3,600

Velocci

G 3 Xchanger

Dewars Rocks

William Cauchi

9/7/13

SUF

2

$17,640

$3,600

THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013 79

und The Country

Florida-Breds Aro

AroundCountry_Layout 1 10/17/13 9:47 AM Page 80

Florida-Breds Aro

The Country und

■FLORIDA-BRED FINISHERS—MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT Continued Win/Place/Show Horse Name Blue Away

Sex Age

Sire

G 3 Bluegrass Cat 2 Full Mandate

Dam

Breeder

Date

Track

Fin

Grade/ Value

Earngs

Brittons Hill

Angela Ingenito & WinStar Farm LLC

9/6/13

CBY

2

$25,000

$5,000

Disenfranchised

Kris R. Del Giudice

9/6/13

CRC

2

$23,800

$5,820

No On Saturday

The Big Stable

9/6/13

TDN

2

$14,000

$2,800

Holy Day

F

Belgravia’s Hope

C 2 Belgravia

Pataskala

F

Miss Molliemac

Richard E. Wilson

9/6/13

TDN

2

$14,000

$2,800

Final Step

G 2 In Summation

Pentelicus Gold

Ocala Stud

9/4/13

DMR

2

$76,250

$15,000

Salsita

F

2 Two Step Salsa

Spanishcreek

Alfredo D. Gonzalez

9/2/13

DMR

2

$77,600

$15,000

Citrus Drive

G 3 Lemon Drop Kid

Elle Runaway

Live Oak Stud

9/1/13

PID

2

$34,650

$7,000

Bear’s Cowboy

C 2 Two Step Salsa

Kats Golden Ways

Vogt Farms

9/1/13

WO

2

$65,724

$11,180

Crown Distinction

C 2 With Distinction

Exclusive Pow Wow

Mary K. Haire

9/29/13

CRC

3

$23,800

$2,800

Hot Sirachi

F

2 Rock Hard Ten

Coverly

Farnsworth Stables LLC

9/29/13

GP

3

$41,200

$4,000

Nena’s Memory

F

2 With Distinction

Runaway Rizzi

Pedro Maestre

9/28/13

CRC

3

$28,000

$3,020

Valid Concept

G 2 Congrats

Reprized Angel

Four Horsemen’s Ranch

9/28/13

GP

3

$46,000

$4,600

Ex Pirate

G 2 Malibu Moon

Island Hop

Glen Hill Farm

9/27/13

AP

3

$38,000

$3,800

3 Future Lover

Macarron

C 2 Full Mandate

Amuay

Ric-Deg Farm Inc.

9/22/13

CRC

3

$33,000

$3,020

Starship Sassy

F

Starship Diva

Starship Stables & Laurence Leavy

9/21/13

CRC

3

$33,000

$3,020

Shenandoah Bound

G 3 Gottcha Gold

Wildcat Widow

Richard V. Thompson & Linda J. Thompson

9/21/13

CT

3

$26,400

$2,600

2 Circular Quay

Gem City Gal

F

Indian Life

Jesse G. Valiente

9/21/13

DEL

3

$35,375

$3,850

Get Back

G 3 Put It Back

2 Mr. Sekiguchi

Florida Gal

Mary A. Sullivan

9/21/13

GP

3

$32,300

$3,500

Proud Patriot

C 2 Proud Citizen

Vintage Champagne

Dr. Allen Lefkowitz

9/21/13

SUF

3

$17,640

$1,800

Velocci

G 3 Xchanger

Dewars Rocks

William Cauchi

9/21/13

SUF

3

$17,640

$1,800

Yes

F

Yeah Me

Robert A. Murphy & Dr. Sandy Price-Murphy

9/20/13

BSR

3

$33,250

$3,960

2 In Summation

Singmetothemoon

C 3 Keyed Entry

November Moon

Alfonso Figliolia

9/20/13

CRC

3

$21,550

$2,593

Award

F

Our Royal Lady

Glen Hill Farm

9/19/13

PID

3

$34,850

$3,500

3 Midnight Lute

El Cadete

G 3 Bwana Charlie

Cat Bleu

Didier Plasencia

9/18/13

ASD

3

$11,340

$1,200

Loya

F

Pretty Jenny

Carson Springs Farm

9/15/13

AP

3

$38,000

$3,800

Gelfenstein

C 2 Mr. Sekiguchi

Dixieland Event

Farm III Enterprises LLC and Off The Hook Partners LLC

9/15/13

GP

3

$44,800

$4,600

Son of Dixie

C 2 Dixie Union

Jeanne's Honor

Sienna Farms LLC

9/14/13

AP

3

$38,000

$3,800

Overton Square

C 2 Congrats

Apple Grove

Robert and Audrey Tenney Rev. Trust

9/14/13

CD

3

$44,232

$4,080

2 City Zip

C. Zee

C 2 Elusive Bluff

Diamondaire

Jacks or Better Farm Inc.

9/14/13

CRC

3

$28,000

$2,800

Trapnall Hall

C 2 Graeme Hall

Can Rianne

Destiny Oaks of Ocala

9/14/13

GP

3

$46,000

$4,600

Hidden Intentions

F

2 Consolidator

Bluespeedwhitelite

Tracy Pinchin

9/14/13

GP

3

$46,000

$4,200

Luxury Goods

F

2 Pioneerof the Nile

Sessile

Machmer Hall & Milan Kosanavich

9/14/13

ZIA

3

$26,095

$2,490

House Money

F

2 Wildcat Heir

Betty's Courage

Brent Fernung & Crystal Fernung

9/13/13

CRC

3

$28,000

$2,800

Return Abroad

F

2 Sweet Return (GB)

Study Abroad

Red Oak Stable

9/11/13

DEL

3

$35,500

$3,850

No Joke Baby

F

2 It's No Joke

Melancholy Baby

Tim Ahearn Jr. & E Z Everard

9/10/13

FE

3

$14,253

$1,360

Kissed and Missed

G 3 D'wildcat

Kissedbyacrusader

Bruno Schickedanz

9/9/13

PRX

3

$47,500

$5,060

El Cadete

G 3 Bwana Charlie

Cat Bleu

Didier Plasencia

9/7/13

ASD

3

$11,820

$1,200

Sin Mirar Atras

C 2 Cowtown Cat

Read Me My Rights

William Janulis & David Wichmann

9/7/13

CRC

3

$22,600

$3,020

Get Back

G 3 Put It Back

Florida Gal

Mary A. Sullivan

9/7/13

GP

3

$32,300

$3,500

Hot Sirachi

F

2 Rock Hard Ten

Coverly

Farnsworth Stables LLC

9/7/13

GP

3

$45,400

$4,400

Starship Sassy

F

2 Circular Quay

Starship Diva

Starship Stables & Laurence Leavy

9/7/13

GP

3

$41,800

$4,600

Endorphins Fly

C 3 Distorted Humor

My Typhoon (IRE)

Live Oak Stud

9/7/13

MTH

3

$36,000

$3,960

Countercyclical

G 3 Circular Quay

City of Dreams

Nick de Meric Jaqui de Meric & Ralph Paticchio

9/6/13

CBY

3

$25,000

$2,750

Amor Incondicional

F

Self Seeker

Janet Erwin

9/6/13

CRC

3

$23,800

$3,020

Burnaway

G 3 Burning Roma

2 With Distinction

Carolyn's Way

Harold L. Queen

9/5/13

PID

3

$34,850

$3,500

Distinctivelyalady

F

Turbo Topper

Michelle Redding & Ponder Hill

9/2/13

DEL

3

$42,685

$4,180

Kenrado

C 2 Congrats

Dinner Pardner

Matteo Giuffreda

9/2/13

IND

3

$46,200

$3,500

King Kona

C 2 The Green Monkey

Teagan's Girl

John Patitucci

9/2/13

NP

3

$15,857

$1,610

Proud Ink

F

Hannah's Ink

William Cauchi

9/2/13

SUF

3

$17,640

$1,800

Swinging Chango

C 3 Senor Swinger

Fountain of Truth

Norman Dellheim & Peggy Dellheim

9/1/13

MNR

3

$19,400

$1,940

4 With Distinction

3 Proud Accolade

80 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

39721_FTBOA_Redo2_HolidayOpenHouse_Layout 1 10/17/13 12:31 PM Page 1

YourFloridaHorsePark_Nov_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:37 PM Page 1

Your

FLORIDA HORSE PARK

veryone says, “Time flies.” What is interesting to note is that as we age, the way we count down our “time” changes. When you are a child, you count time by the number of days left in the school year. When you are in college it is by the number of semesters/terms before you complete your degree. When you have children, you find yourself counting the days, months, and years, by the milestones your children hit. But as we age, we tend to count down the time by the change of seasons.

Florida Sunshine Festival – November 16-17: Ex-

And the seasons are definitely changing in Central Florida. Whether you call it the “the dry season” or “the Winter/Spring season”, that season is upon us and it has been getting cooler. This is the time of year that we Floridians look forward to turning off our air conditioners and opening our windows. From about November through March, we love the dryer air and enjoy listening to the rustle of the leaves on the trees as they are blown by the crisp, cool breezes. Of course, we typically have a few warmer days too, especially further south, but here in Ocala and Marion County we’ll be getting some colder days and according to the Farmer’s Almanac, this year could be even colder than usual. We’ll just have to wait and see.

I’m guessing we will probably have to break out those jackets and sweaters a little more than usual.

Here at the Florida Horse Park, we too measure change by the seasons. We have moved from the long, hot, doldrums of summer and entered into our busy season. We are planning numerous fun and exciting activities and organizing multiple events that are sure to provide hours of pleasure and entertainment for you and your families. Here are just a few:

Cross Country Schooling Day and Jumper Ring Rental – November 24: Sponsored by Partners of the Park.

E

Bring your friends and family and join us, you are sure to have a good time!

Civil War Re-Enactment – November 2-3: If you are a history buff, this is a very cool event.

Driving Schooling Day – November 6: You may school hazards or cones, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The fee is $35/per turnout.

Equiventures Fall Trial – November 16-17: Eventing sponsored by Equiventures.

82 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

perience the beauty and wealth of Florida’s Culture. Admission is free, parking $2.00. You will find, history, agriculture, artisans, exhibits, live music, kid’s area, beer garden and food trucks.

Dressage, Show Jumping and 3 Phase Schooling Show – November 23: Sponsored by Partners of the Park.

Horses for Happiness Show & Expo – December 7-8: This is a local event benefitting Hats for Happiness, a cancer support group and Driving Home Rescue, Inc. Bring your friends and family and join us–you are sure to have a good time! For additional information regarding upcoming events at the Florida Horse Park, be sure to check out our calendar located on our website at flhorsepark.com.

Behind the scenes at the Florida Horse Park other more important changes are taking place as we prepare for building the new arena, utilizing the $2 million received from Governor Rick Scott and the State of Florida. There have been numerous meetings with the Department of Agriculture and State Representatives as we move forward with this project in a positive and timely manner. Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam has asked Fred Crist to oversee the contract and construction of the new arena. The construction project has been reviewed and some minor adjustments have been made to the plans. All of which is moving us closer to breaking ground on this fabulous project.

And of course, now is also the season when the Foundation for the Florida Horse Park begins planning capital campaign events as we continue in our efforts to raise additional funds for the expansion and growth of the Florida Horse Park. If you would like to help make this season a “season to remember”, please consider making a donation or sponsoring a fundraising event, just give me a call at (903) 203-5680. ■ Happy Trails, Anne Favre / Executive Director Foundation for the Florida Horse Park

SaladDinnerPlate_Layout 1 6/26/13 10:26 AM Page 1

Salad Plate

Dinner Plate

Dinner Plate

“Home” Plate

Show Pride in Where you Live!

Order your “Home Plate” today Contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles For branch locations, contact Marion County’s Main Office, McPherson Complex, 503 SE 25th Avenue, Ocala, Florida, 34471 Phone: (352) 368-8200 Mon - Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm • or Online at mariontax.com

For more information: Florida Agriculture Center & Horse Park Authority, Inc. 11008 South Highway 475 Ocala, Florida 34480 • 352-307-6699 Fax: 352-307-6799 • flhorsepark.com

Cohen_FarmManagement_Florida Horse_template 10/21/13 12:30 PM Page 56

FARM MANAGEMENT

Cost Share Programs: An Enormous Benefit for Farms

H

ello to all! The hot summer days have started to cool down just a bit and there is a nice breeze in the air to start off the fall. It’s a wonderful time of year to be out on the farms, enjoying the beauty of both the land and the horse. Unfortunately, while these farms and animals are magnificent, they are also costly and time-consuming. Any financial help for a farm is always a big bonus, especially considering the fact that implementation of improved management practices can sometimes cost quite a bit of money. A few organizations have cost share monies available to help with various improved management practices, so here’s a quick overview of what’s available for farms and equine operations.

For all of Florida, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, NRCS, has funding available through a few different programs. The following link gives information on these programs: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial . Originally established by Congress in 1935, NRCS is a leader for the conservation and protection of all natural resources. NRCS works with landowners for conservation planning and assistance, offering funding to benefit the soil, Money available through designed water, air, plants, and anicost share programs can help mals to result in productive improved management prac- lands and healthy ecosystems. All types of agricultices, such as pasture seeding, ture are included in these water facilities, installing gut- large funding programs and equine operations DO fall ters, cross-fencing, etc. into the agriculture category.

There are many criteria for each NRCS funding opportunity, so researching the various programs is advised, but the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is the program generally used for equine operations. This voluntary program provides financial and technical assistance through contracts, which run up to a maximum of ten years in length. The goal of EQIP is to help producers and farms meet the federal, state, tribal, and local environmental regulations. These contracts provide financial assistance to help plan and implement conservation practices that address natural resource concerns and opportunities that will improve soil, water, plant, animal, air and related resources on agricultural land.

For horse farms falling within the correct boundaries,

84 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) offers cost share opportunities through the Facilitating Agricultural Resource Management Systems (FARMS) Program. http://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/agriculture/farms This program, involving both water quantity and water quality concerns, is a public/private partnership program developed by SWFWMD and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). It provides resource (financial) benefits and is available for agricultural best management practice (BMP) cost share reimbursement. Water quality improvements and reductions for production-scale agricultural BMP projects, conservation projects for the Upper Floridian aquifer and restoration or augmentation projects to the area’s water resources and ecology are also included in these benefits. SWFWMD has just recently added equine faculties to the FARMS Program, so if financial assistance is needed, now is a great time to seek out this opportunity for farms/equine operations falling within their boundaries. Cost share rates are generally capped at 50 percent for projects with BMPs providing water quality or water quantity benefits and up to 75 percent for projects that incorporate both water quality and water quantity benefits.

Lastly, for farms located in Marion County (regardless of their location in the county), smaller cost share grants of up to $10,000 are available through Marion Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD). http://marionsoilandwater.com This is a link to the MSWCD web page. Go to the “Equine Cost Share Program” on the site to learn about money available for improved management practices, such as pasture seeding, water facilities, installing gutters, cross-fencing, etc.

Hopefully, this gives you information about cost share available, where it can be found and a small idea about what the money will cover. Please don’t ever hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance. Also, to schedule a FREE, non-regulatory farm visit, please contact me or your county’s Extension agent. As always, keep up the good management practices! ■

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

Classifieds_Nov2013_Layout 1 10/17/13 11:21 AM Page 1

Classified ADS Call (352) 732-8858

PHOTOGRAPHY

Cynthia McFarland P.O. Box 882 Fairfield, FL 32634

352.528.1259 Cell: 352.812.1989

yumasierra@aol.com

Writing & Photography

L o u is e E . R e i n a g e l

LIKE HORSE PHOTOGRAPHER

Visit me at www.louiseereinagel.com E-Mail: limelightf@gmail.com

(352) 237-3809

PHOTOGRAPHY

BY

JOSEPH DIORIO

Cell 352-427-9502 www.winningimages.biz

CONSTRUCTION

Darlene Wohlart

Fred Burton

PH OTO G R A P H Y

PAVING•800.709.1903

www.equinephotography.com equinephotography@gmail.com

USON 352.229.3660

Specializes in Farm Paving ASPHALT HAULING • PAVING PARKING LOTS • SEAL COATING FARM LANES • SMALL DRIVEWAYS • ROAD GRADING

Located in Ocala

O F

To Advertise

Call 352.732.8858

INDEX

A D V E R T I S E R S

DOUBLE DIAMOND FARM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50, 51 FLORIDA HORSE PARK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED CHARITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 FTBOA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 HOFFMAN INTERNATIONAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 JOURNEYMAN STUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88 NTRA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 OCALA BREEDERS SALES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13 OCALA STUD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 OCD EQUINE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 SOUTHERN STATES COOPERATIVE, INC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 TAMPA BAY DOWNS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

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

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

PlayersPg_Catonqxd_Florida Horse_template 10/18/13 12:59 PM Page 1

CATON’S CALL

Mucho Better “You can best believe that, he’s a macho man ready to get down with, anyone he can…

Hey! Hey! Hey, hey, hey, hey!”

by Caton Bredar

T

he second single released by The Village People, the song “Macho Man” reached number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100 charts in August of 1978. Extolling the virtues of being physically fit via a minimum of actual words including “macho”, “body” and “hey”, the song remains an icon of an era most remembered for disco, dazzle and decadence, with little in terms of substance.

Fortunately, the horse is better than his song.

Mucho better.

With apologies to the group gracious enough to send their autographed photo to Reeves Thoroughbred Racing—the worn photo hangs on the stall door wherever their horse is stabled—Mucho Macho Man has already proven way beyond a one hit wonder, with graded stakes placings at two, graded stakes wins at three and four and, most recently, a Grade 1 win at five in the Awesome Again at Santa Anita in late September, surprisingly, his first Grade 1.

More durable than most race horses or pop bands, the Florida-bred has earned more than $2.5 million and launched himself to number eight on the NTRA’s top 10 thoroughbred poll as of October 1. On just about anybody’s list, he ranks among the top contenders for this year’s $5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (Grade 1) on Nov. 2 back at Santa Anita, where he just missed winning the Classic last year.

A half-length was all that separated Mucho Macho Man from Fort Larned and equine immortality in last year’s Classic—somewhat similar to the three lengths separating the son of Macho Uno—himself a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner—from Animal Kingdom and Nehro in the 2011 Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1). A solid third place finish in the Kentucky Derby for a 9-1 shot whose only prior stakes win was the Risen Star (G3), might have been good enough for some; the finish still elicited a somewhat apologetic response from his trainer, Kathy Ritvo.

The wife of Gulfstream Park President Tim Ritvo grew up in a family of horse people. At little over 100

A throw back to the classic

“Florida Horse”—precocious, not flashy, talented yet durable

86 THE FLORIDA HORSE • NOVEMBER 2013

pounds and four and-a-half feet tall, Ritvo can scarcely reach the top of Mucho Macho Man’s withers; she stands on tip toes to tighten the girth. More inclined to let her horses do the talking, she acquiesced to relentless interviews all that Derby week in the name of promoting the organ donor program that, less than three years earlier, had saved her life. While Ritvo was satisfied with Mucho Macho Man’s effort post-Derby, she felt she had let down his legions of supporters. Deep down, she went into the race believing he would win.

Who could blame her for believing in happy endings.

Much like Ritvo, Mucho Macho Man had also cheated death. In June of 2008, just as his eventual trainer was battling with degenerative heart disease, the mare Ponche de Leona gave birth in a field at Oak Grove Farm in Ocala. The mare was three weeks past her due date; the foal wasn’t breathing. Carole Rio and her family rubbed the foal’s lifeless body back to life. Minutes passed before the colt’s heart started beating and he suddenly jumped up and ran away.

He’s been running—and growing—ever since, into one of the most consistent older horses in the nation. A throw back to the classic “Florida Horse”—precocious, not flashy, talented yet durable, Mucho Macho Man spent his earliest days at Calder Casino and Race Course, developed and grew over the winters at Gulfstream and made his mark at tracks from New York to most recently, California. A gangly sophomore, Ritvo says he continued quite literally to grow physically through most of last year.

When he strolled into the Santa Anita paddock for the Awesome Again, you could see he had reached full maturity. Mane and tail streaming, bay coat dappled and glistening, muscles rippling, he seemed to grow even larger as, under Gary Stevens, he drew off down the home stretch to win with something left for an encore performance.

Macho Man, indeed.

Caton Bredar is a freelance writer, producer and reporter. She appears frequently on HRTV, the Network for Horse Sports, and is a weekly contributor to SIRIUS/XM Radio's "Down the Stretch". She has also appeared on various horse racing broadcasts for ESPN, ABC, CBS, FOX and the World Feed for the Dubai World Cup.

Ad_Bleed_Check_Layout 1 10/17/13 11:03 AM Page 1

Ad_Bleed_Check_Layout 1 10/17/13 4:01 PM Page 1