American Racehorse - Winter 2018

W W W. A M E RI CA NRA CEH ORSE. C OM WINTER 2018

In this Issue REMINISCING ABOUT DETROIT RACE COURSE GENERAL GRANT’S CIVIL WAR HORSE CINCINNATI THE CONTINUING LEGACY OF VALOR FARM NEW STALLIONS IN THE REGION

A Division of Center Hills Farm

DEN’S LEGACY

POLLARD’S VISION

A Grade 1-placed and Grade 3 winner by a top international sire

More than $1.4 million in progeny earnings in 2017 and the leading stallion in Oklahoma by mares bred in 2016 and 2017

(Medaglia d’Oro-Sunshine Song,

by War Chant) 2018 FEE: $2,500

(Carson City-Etats Unis,

by Dixieland Band) 2018 FEE: $2,500

SAVE BIG MONEY

THE VISUALISER

(Storm Cat-Tomisue’s Delight,

by A.P. Indy)

(Giant’s Causeway-Smokey Mirage,

by Holy Bull)

Sire of two-time 2017 SW INAGOODWAY ($207,420)

Sire of two-time WRD Horse of the Meet WELDER ($275,601)

2018 FEE: $1,500

2018 FEE: $1,500

All fees are stands and nurses All stallions are nominated to the Oklahoma Bred Program, Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes

Mighty Acres

675 W. 470 Rd. • Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 Phone: 918-825-4256 • Fax: 918-825-4255 Randy Blair: 918-271-2266 www.mightyacres.com

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

DUSTIN ORONA PHOTOGRAPHY

Wouldn’t you like one of these...

JOY’S PARADISE

QUEENLAND

Taste of Paradise

Multiple Stakes Winner. Earnings of $257,256

Proven Racehorse Sire

Multiple Stakes Placed. Earnings of $206,783

CONQUISTADOR CIELO–TASTETHETEARDROPS, BY WHAT LUCK

RUNNER-UP IN BREEDERS’ CUP SPRINT BY A HEAD - 114 BEYER WINNER OF VOSBURGH STAKES G1 EARNINGS: $1,019,455

Ship to breed to TASTE OF PARADISE and the stud fee will NOT BE DUE UNTIL the foal WINS STUD FEE: $2,500 LFSN

Phone: 859.252.3770 email: stallions@crestwoodfarm.com www.crestwoodfarm.com

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 1

THE FIRST GRADE 1 WINNER TO RETIRE TO TEXAS!

M

EQUI-PHOTO

BRADESTER

Lion Heart – Grandestofall, by Grand Slam A Grade 1 winner of $1,196,332!

Winner of Churchill Downs’ Grade 1, $500,000 Stephen Foster Handicap, beating the likes of Grade 1 millionaires EFFINEX and MAJESTIC HARBOR. Ten career wins from two to six, posting multiple 109 Beyer Speed Figures.

Six-time graded stakes winner, including back-to-back runnings of the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup Stakes, plus the Grade 3 Salvator Mile Stakes, Grade 3 Ack Ack Handicap and Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap.

By Grade 1 winner and millionaire sire LION HEART (110 Beyer), winner of the Hollywood Futurity (G1) and second to SMARTY JONES in the Kentucky Derby (G1) after leading until the deep stretch.

2018 FEE: $3,500 – LIVE FOAL PROPERTY OF JOSEPH W. SUTTON

BRADESTER • CONGAREE • CROSSBOW • EAGLE • EARLY FLYER GRASSHOPPER • MY GOLDEN SONG • STONESIDER • TOO MUCH BLING Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian

2 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm

ANOTHER CHAMPION FOR MY GOLDEN SONG!

MY GOLDEN SONG

Unbridled’s Song – Golden Par,

by Gold Meridian

MY GOLDEN SONG is the sire of two graded stakes winners from a crop of 21 Texas-bred foals: THEGIRLINTHATSONG-G2 ($480,195) and FIFTYSHADESOFGOLD-G3 ($420,521). He is also the sire of 2017 Texas Champion Older Filly/ Mare ZIPPIT E, a two-time stakes winner last year.

His average earnings per starter is more than $50,000, and 20 percent of his starters are stakes horses!

William Miller

MY GOLDEN SONG runners SWIFT SHOCK and ZIPPIT E both won stakes during the 2018 Texas Champions Weekend at Sam Houston.

2018 FEE: $5,000 – LIVE FOAL

EARLY FLYER – YEAR AFTER YEAR A LEADING SIRE IN TEXAS

EARLY FLYER

Gilded Time – Bistra, by Classic Go Go

William Miller

Perennially a top overall and 2-year-old sire in Texas, EARLY FLYER is the sire of HE’S COMIN IN HOT-G3, winner of the Grade 3 Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs with earnings of $174,750.

EARLY FLYER has sired 38 stakes horses!

2018 FEE: $2,500 – LIVE FOAL BRADESTER • CONGAREE • CROSSBOW • EAGLE • EARLY FLYER GRASSHOPPER • MY GOLDEN SONG • STONESIDER • TOO MUCH BLING Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 3

4 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Final-A

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SUBSCRIBE TODAY! American Racehorse covers the racing and breeding industry in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas and provides you with the news and information you need to know!

Each issue features articles on horse health, second-career racehorses, horsemen and horses in the region and more, plus breeding, racing and sales news.

BONUS! Any new two-year subscription will receive a free copy of Alexandra the Great, a new hardcover book for young readers about Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra!

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Mail this form with a check or credit card info to: American Racehorse, PO Box 8645, Round Rock, TX 78683 Or subscribe online at www.AmericanRacehorse.com, call (512) 695-4541 or email info@americanracehorse.com 6 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

The Leading Southwest Sire for 2017

2017 Progeny Earnings in Excess of $3,000,000

WILBURN

#1

in the Southwest by Earnings – $3,000,000+ in the Southwest by Winners – 79 in the Southwest by Repeat Winners – 36 Co-#1 in the Southwest by Blacktype Winners – 5 (#1 in Oklahoma) Co-#1 in the Southwest by Blacktype Wins – 8 (#1 in Oklahoma)

Top Three Third-Crop Sire NATIONALLY by Blacktype SWs & Wins SEVEN Stakes Winners / FIFTEEN Stakes Horses, incl.

LOVELY BERNADETTE ($508,413) – Grade 2 SW at Churchill & Grade 3 SW at Keeneland AFLEET WILLY ($367,735) – NTR Stakes-Winning Miler BERNIESTRIKE ($169,470) – Louisiana Cup Turf Classic SW WILBURNMONEY ($137,029) – $100,000 SW at Aqueduct UXIA P. – returning South American Champion & Multiple Group 1 SW

New 2017 SWs RUBY SIOUX & PORT PROTECTION Plus addition Stakes Performers at Remington Park, Santa Anita, Woodbine, Gulfstream Park, Indiana Grand, Fair Grounds, etc.

First Oklahoma-Sired Foals Arrive in 2018!

Bernardini – Moonlight Sonata, by Carson City 2018 Fee: $3,500 LFSN

Also standing DRAMEDY

WILBURN & DRAMEDY

Distorted Humor-She’s a Winner, by A.P. Indy $2,500 LFSN RIVER OAKS FARM, INC. | Lori, Natalie & Francisco Bravo | 3216 Highway 177 North, Sulphur, OK 73086 Cell (940) 367-4457 • Farm (940) 367-4380 | Fax (580) 622-4411 info@riveroaksthoroughbreds.com | www.RiverOaksThoroughbreds.com

WHAT NOW

IS WHAT’S NEXT FOR INDIANA BREEDERS! A leading first- and second-crop stallion

WHAT NOW Distorted Humor – Tizamazing, by Cee’s Tizzy • A winning son of the top stallion DISTORTED HUMOR from a family loaded with black-type • WHAT NOW is a half brother to Preakness Stakes (G1) winner and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up and promising stallion OXBOW (standing 2018 season for $20,000) • Female family also includes $6.4-million earner, Horse of the Year, two-time Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner, Hall of Famer and top stallion TIZNOW and Grade 1-winning millionaire PAYNTER Bar Rag

WHAT NOW sired TWO WINNERS on the same card at Indiana Grand on August 30: Huckleberry Hill

Linscott Photography

• Bar Rag – Won a $38,000 allowance race for the third win of her career and then finished third in the $104,100 Richmond Stakes. This 4-year-old filly is closing in on $100,000 in earnings!

Linscott Photography

• Huckleberry Hill – Drew clear to an impressive eight-length maiden win in a $34,000 special weight race for 2-year-olds, earning more than $20,000 for his victory!

Drop your foal in Indiana to participate in one of the most lucrative state programs in the country 2018 Fee: $1,500 Property of Don Wright R STAR STALLIONS Anderson, Indiana Inquiries to Leigh Ann Hopper • R Star Stallions, 5255 N 350 E, Anderson, IN 46012 Cell (765) 425-5790 • E-mail: lrichwine@att.net • Website: www.rstarstallions.com

R In 52 C W

R STAR STALLIONS A powerful roster of stallions to help you capitalize on all the benefits of racing and breeding in Indiana!

CSABA - $2,000 Kitten’s Joy – High Chant, by War Chant The leading dirt runner by KITTEN’S JOY with nine stakes wins, five triple digit Beyers and $682,844 in earnings

DEPUTY STORM - $1,500 Forestry – Deputy Jane West, by Silver Deputy A leading Indiana sire with 12% of his runners earning $100,000+

PRAYER FOR RELIEF - $3,000 Jump Start – Sparklin Lil, by Mr. Sparkles Indiana’s richest stallion, a winner of $2.2 million who won or placed in 26 graded stakes from ages 2 to 9

TAPRIZE - $2,500 Tapit – Fun House, by Prized A son of leading sire and sire of sires TAPIT and a full brother to champion UNTAPABLE ($3.9 million)

WHAT NOW - $1,500 Distorted Humor – Tizamazing, by Cee’s Tizzy A half brother to OXBOW out of full sister to TIZNOW and one of Indiana’s most promising young stallions

R STAR STALLIONS • Anderson, Indiana Inquiries to Leigh Ann Hopper 5255 N 350 E, Anderson, IN 46012 Cell: (765) 425-5790 • E-mail: lrichwine@att.net Website: www.rstarstallions.com

ABOUT AMERICAN RACEHORSE

American Racehorse (formerly Southern Racehorse) covers Thoroughbred racing and breeding in the Southwest, Midwest and Midsouth regions. The magazine is mailed to all members of the following associations: • Alabama Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association • Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association • Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association • Georgia Horse Racing Coalition • Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association • Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Minnesota Thoroughbred Association • North Carolina Thoroughbred Association • Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners • Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma • South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Texas Thoroughbred Association • Plus hundreds of Louisiana horsemen.

For more information or to inquire about advertising, contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or visit www.americanracehorse.com.

CONNECT WITH AMERICAN RACEHORSE

HHH Online: www.americanracehorse.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/americanracehorse • Twitter: @AmerRacehorse Email: info@americanracehorse.com Phone/Text: (512) 695-4541 • Fax: (512) 870-9324 Published by Pangaea Enterprises LLC d/b/a American Racehorse American Racehorse • P.O. Box 8645 Round Rock, TX 78683 Physical Address American Racehorse 1341 Meadowild Drive • Round Rock, TX 78664 Editor/Publisher Denis Blake • info@americanracehorse.com Senior Art Director Amie Rittler • arittler3@gmail.com Graphic Designer Julie Kennedy • julie@digitalcitydesigns.com Copyeditor Judy L. Marchman Contributors J. Keeler Johnson Judy L. Marchman Kim Mariette Joe Nevills Megan Tracy Petty, DVM

Photographers Ackerley Images Benoit Photo Denis Blake Dana Bonnell Coady Photography John Engelhardt ©flownaksala/stock.adobe.com Keeneland/Bill Straus Keeneland Library/Thoroughbred Times Collection ©kellyvandellen/stock.adobe.com Linscott Photography Judy L. Marchman Merri Melde Joe Nevills Dustin Orona Photography The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library Cover Photo Luis Reyes at Saratoga 2017, by photographer Jeffrey Perkins of Horse Racing Photo Art…Changing the ordinary to the dramatic. For more information, go to fineartamerica.com/ profiles/3-jeffrey-perkins

Copyright © 2018 American Racehorse All rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission. American Racehorse reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy for any reason. American Racehorse makes a reasonable attempt to ensure that advertising claims are truthful but assumes no responsibility for the truth and accuracy of ads.

10 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

WHAT’S INSIDE

American RACEHORSE

Winter 2018

25

Michigan’s “Mile”-stone track

38 A Thoroughbred hero of the Civil War

Departments Fast Furlongs 18 State Association News

79

The Marketplace Classifieds

94

Features Motor City Memories 25 Remembering Detroit Race Course and the Michigan Mile The Noble War Horse A look back at General Ulysses S. Grant’s Thoroughbred Cincinnati

38

Beyond the Legacy 46 Valor Farm forges ahead under Douglas Scharbauer’s ownership New Kids on the Block 56 Stallion rosters around the region continue to expand as breeding season gets underway Ageless Wonder 65 Michigan-bred Boo Dutton didn’t start until age five and became a stakes winner at nine, and he’s still going

46 Standing tall in Texas

Ask a Vet: Getting Ready to Foal 72 Advance planning is important to tackle foaling complications AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 11

IT OB A TRUSTED VOICE OF THE HORSEMEN

SAVE THE DATE! ITOBA AWARDS BANQUET AND ANNUAL MEETING April 15, 2018

at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino Cocktails and silent auction begin at 3 p.m. with an early dinner at 4 p.m.

Speaker and awards to follow.

Election of ITOBA directors will also be announced.

itoba.com • info@itoba.com • (317) 709-1100

Next Level Breeding Why breed to an Indiana stallion? $11.7 million+ earned by Indiana-sired horses in 2017 across the country.

Stakes races exclusively 6 Sta for Indiana-sired horses at Indiana Grand Race Course (up to $150,000 guaranteed).

Top 5 Indiana Stallions in 2017: Notional Fort Prado Victor’s Cry

Lady Fog Horn Highest money-earning Indianasired horse in history.

Grade 2 Stakes Winner LTE: $824,273 (+ $407,855 in Indiana Breeders Awards)

Pass Rush Lantana Mob

in.gov/hrc/tb.htm AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 13

CONGRATULATIONS TO STEVE ASMUSSEN ON AN INCREDIBLE 2017…

Suzie Picou-Oldham

Trainer Steve Asmussen and his team accumulated 380 wins and earnings of nearly $20 million last year, led by Horse of the Year and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner GUN RUNNER! It’s the fourth time that Steve has trained the Eclipse Award winner for Horse of the Year, joining RACHEL ALEXANDRA and two-time champion CURLIN.

AND A GREAT START TO 2018!

Coglianese Photo

Horsephotos.com/NTRA

GUN RUNNER went out a winner on January 27 with a dominant win in the $16 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational for owner Winchell Thoroughbreds and Three Chimneys Farms.

We wish him luck at stud and thank him for all the memories that will last a lifetime!

Keith Asmussen, 956-763-8907

Dr. Steve Velasco, veterinarian • Dee Martinez, office manager, 956-763-7594 P.O. Box 1861 • Laredo, TX 78044 • Phone: 956-723-5436 • Fax: 956-723-5845 Email: kaasmussen@aol.com • Website: www.asmussens.com

14 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

H

LOOKING FOR YOUR NEXT STAR? Look no further than Asmussen Horse Center and El Primero Training Center!

Watch for the Asmussen Horse Center consignment at the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale on April 10 at Lone Star Park. We are perennially among the leading consignors at this sale, and our sale grads include:

Mary Cage

HH BLING ON THE MUSIC – Earnings of $153,167 with two stakes wins and a Grade 2 placing at Churchill Downs!

H Coady Photography

H

H H

DIRECT DIAL – Earnings of $106,820 in his first five starts with a Texas Stallion Stakes win and a second in the Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park!

And El Primero Training Center has produced: 5 Eclipse Award-winning Champions 3 Breeders’ Cup Winners 13 Millionaires 235+ Stakes Winners Keith Asmussen, 956-763-8907

Dr. Steve Velasco, veterinarian • Dee Martinez, office manager, 956-763-7594 P.O. Box 1861 • Laredo, TX 78044 • Phone: 956-723-5436 • Fax: 956-723-5845 Email: kaasmussen@aol.com • Website: www.asmussens.com

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 15

HIT THE MARK WITH TAKEOVER TARGET!

NYRA Photo

New for 2018 | An elite turf runner with a potent dirt pedigree!

Harlan’s Holiday – Vanquished, by Empire Maker ● A winner at first asking as a 2-year-old at Belmont Park, TAKEOVER TARGET won three graded stakes during his career against elite company at Belmont, Saratoga and Pimlico. He earned $826,685 with victories in the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes (G2), Hill Prince Stakes (G3) and Longines Dixie Stakes (G2). Among the horses he defeated were Grade 1-winning millionaires GRAND ARCH, RING WEEKEND and WORLD APPROVAL. ● One of the most accomplished sons of three-time Grade 1 winner and $3.6 million earner HARLAN’S HOLIDAY, whose sons at stud include INTO MISCHIEF (2018 fee of $100,000). ● Precocious and sound! TAKEOVER TARGET won his first time out as a 2-year-old, won Grade 2 and Grade 3 races as a 3-year-old, and won another Grade 2 as a 4-year-old.

2018 Fee: $2,000 Property of a Syndicate Red River Farms Inquiries to Jay Adcock P.O. Box 385 • Coushatta, Louisiana 71019 Cell: (318) 469-3900 • Phone: (318) 932-3207 or (318) 932-5884 • Fax (318) 932-9829 Email: redriverfm@gmail.com • Website: www.adcocksredriverfarm.com

A SPECTACULAR SON OF KITTEN’S JOY, NOW IN INDIANA!

Introducing CSABA, the most accomplished son on DIRT by leading sire KITTEN’S JOY CSABA

Kitten’s Joy – High Chant, by War Chant After winning twice in four starts as a 2-year-old, CSABA emerged as the top dirt runner by KITTEN’S JOY with nine stakes wins while making at least 10 starts each year at ages 3, 4 and 5 before retiring with nearly $700,000 in earnings.

A versatile runner with wins ranging from five to nine furlongs, CSABA not only won races, he won races in dominant fashion! The three-time graded stakes winner captured the Tropical Park Derby by 14 lengths and the El Kaiser Stakes by more than eight lengths. He earned five triple digit Beyers!

CSABA excelled on the main track, but in limited chances on the turf he also proved his mettle with a placing in a Grade 3 stakes at Gulfstream. His full sister KITTEN’S QUEEN ($378,444) placed in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes on the turf at Saratoga, just a neck behind two-time Eclipse Award winner TEPIN. Whether you are looking for a runner on turf or dirt, going short or long, CSABA has the pedigree and race record to deliver!

2018 FEE - $2,000 – LIVE FOAL

R STAR STALLIONS • Anderson, Indiana Inquiries to Leigh Ann Hopper 5255 N 350 E, Anderson, IN 46012 Cell: (765) 425-5790 • E-mail: lrichwine@att.net Website: www.rstarstallions.com

fastfurlongs

Coady Photography

Hall of Fame Trainer Jack Van Berg Dies at 81

Jack Van Berg

18 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Courtesy Breeders’ Cup

Trainer Jack Van Berg, a member of the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame and the conditioner of more than 6,500 winners, passed away December 27 at the age of 81 after battling cancer.

A perennial leading trainer at Ak-Sar-Ben in Nebraska as well as at other tracks in the Midwest and around the country, Van Berg is best known as the trainer of 1987 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and 1988 Horse of the Year Alysheba. Also a Hall of Famer, Alysheba raced for Texans Dorothy and Pamela Scharbauer and retired with earnings of $6,679,242, a record at the time.

Van Berg, a son of Hall of Fame trainer Marion Van Berg, led the nation in wins nine times and won the 1984 Eclipse Award as outstanding trainer. In recent years he found success at Oaklawn, Remington Park and Lone Star Park among other tracks.

Van Berg followed in his father’s footsteps and obtained his trainer’s

license at the age of 15. His list of accomplishments is endless: leading trainer at Ak-Sar-Ben for 19 consecutive years, a record for the most wins in a single year with 496 (in 1976) and the fourth-most wins of all-time for a trainer according to Equibase.

Van Berg mentored numerous successful horsemen during his career: Joe Petalino, Billy Gowan, Kellyn Gorder, Wayne Catalano, Frankie Brothers and Hall of Famer Bill Mott.

Van Berg’s life was the subject of the book Jack — From Grit to Glory: A Lifetime of Mentoring, Dedication and Perseverance by Chris Kotulak.

Tributes to Van Berg came in from all corners of the racing industry before, during and after his funeral service in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Kotulak summed up the thoughts of numerous horsemen in an article on the Paulick Report, saying, “Jack is immortalized for the accomplishments of his horses on the racetrack; however, he can assuredly be honored by the achievements of those whom he mentored.

Beyond his direct lessons of horse sense, countless people can sing Jack’s praise for how he influenced their lives in his special unsung style. You always heard Jack’s voice but his lifetime of positive actions can speak for themselves. Jack Van Berg may have had a more comfortable life had he not created so much work for himself—and those around him.

Instead, he chose to do things in a big way, and he typically succeeded. He perpetually wanted to share the gift of benevolence and horsemanship his father, Marion, gave to him; he succeeded in that, too.”

Van Berg trainee Alysheba winning the 1988 Breeders’ Cup Classic in his final start before retiring with earnings of $6,679,242.

Oaklawn Unveils American Pharoah Statue

Coady Photography

As a lasting tribute to the first Triple Crown winner in 37 years who began his historic campaign at Oaklawn, the Arkansas track unveiled a life-size bronze statue of American Pharoah just prior to the opening of the meet.

Zayat Stables LLC’s American Pharoah, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, began his 3-year-old season by winning the 2015 Rebel Stakes (G2) and then returned four weeks later to win the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1) before capturing the Kentucky Derby (G1), Preakness (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1). He retired at the end of 2015 after also winning the $6 million Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1).

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah now greets visitors at Oaklawn.

“American Pharoah took a couple of detours on his way to the Triple Crown. But running and winning twice at Oaklawn Park, he and it was after his Arkansas Derby that we knew we had something found the stride, the resilience and the will to win that enabled him to truly special.” power through the Derby, Preakness and Belmont,” Baffert said.

“This statue is not only a lasting tribute to American Pharoah, but also The bronze statue, by artist James Peniston, was commissioned by the to my father, Charles Cella,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “His late Charles Cella and is the focal point of a newly redesigned entrance vision for the track was to have the very best 3-year-olds come through to the grandstand and new, park-like setting.

Hot Springs on their way to the Triple Crown races. His dream started “We are extremely honored,” said Justin Zayat, son of owner coming true in 2004, the year Smarty Jones won the Rebel, Arkansas Ahmed Zayat and racing manager for Zayat Stables. “Oaklawn has Derby, Kentucky Derby and Preakness, and came full circle when Ameralways been a track we love and have had great success at. Winning the ican Pharoah won the Triple Crown. We look forward to continuing my Rebel and Arkansas Derby was a great foundation for American Pharoah father’s legacy by attracting the top horses for years to come.”

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 19

fF

Equine Sales Company Announces 2018 Auction Dates Equine Sales Company has announced the dates for its three auctions in 2018 to be held in Opelousas, Louisiana.

The 2-year-olds in training sale has been set for Monday, May 7, with the breeze show set for May 6, the day after the Kentucky Derby. The consignor select yearling sale will be held Thursday, September 6, and the open yearling and mixed sale will be Sunday, October 28.

“This will mark our seventh year in operation, so I think we have found the proper placement of these sales that works well for horsemen

in Louisiana, the Southwest and around the country,” said Foster Bridewell, sales director. “We had a very strong year in 2017, despite our select sale being impacted by Hurricane Harvey. We are anticipating an even better year in 2018 as we continue with two of the most positive enhancements we have made in recent years with the unified yearling sale in cooperation with the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and the Equine Sales Oaks and Derby for sale graduates at Evangeline Downs.”

For more information, go to equinesalesofla.com.

Longtime Oklahoma Stallion Service Stripe Euthanized at Age 26 Service Stripe, a leading Oklahoma stallion over the past decade, was euthanized at Caines Stallion Station in Wynnewood, Oklahoma, on December 26 due to old age. The stakes-winning son of Deputy Minister was 26.

After originally standing in Kentucky, Service Stripe was relocated to Oklahoma and first stood at Rockin’ Z Ranch before moving to Caines. He was pensioned in recent years and his last crop of foals are yearlings of 2017.

“He was definitely an asset to the Oklahoma breeding program,” Ellen Caines said in a BloodHorse.com article. “He was one of those who con-

stantly put out winners. He was a consistent producer. Everything that he put on the ground would try their hardest. He just consistently produced good horses. That’s why everybody kept coming back to him … he had quite a following. People would come and they’d always want to see him.

He not only left his mark in Kentucky, but he left it here in Oklahoma too.”

Service Stripe is the sire of nearly 20 stakes winners, including Canadian champion Field Commission and Grade 1 winner Cashier’s Dream, a Michigan-bred who ran for Team Valor and Texas-based Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Linscott Photography

Two-Time Indiana Horse of the Year Lady Fog Horn Retires

Lady Fog Horn tops the all-time list of Indiana-bred earners at $824,273.

Two-time Indiana Horse of the Year Lady Fog Horn has been retired.

The now 6-year-old homebred daughter of Zavata left Indiana Grand Racing and Casino on October 31 to begin the next phase of her career in the broodmare ranks.

Lady Fog Horn made her first start at Indiana Grand in August 2014 for Stuart Grant’s The Elkstone Group and trainer Tony Granitz, and she recorded her maiden win later that year.

20 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Her career really took off when she won six of nine races at three, including four stakes in Indiana before completing her season with a second-place finish in the Grade 3 Cardinal Handicap at Churchill Downs. The talented filly recorded five wins in seven starts at four, with two Indiana stakes victories and a win in the Grade 2 Falls City Handicap at Churchill. Lady Fog Horn started four times in 2017, never finishing worse than third. Her last outing produced a win over Indiana Grand’s turf course with standout apprentice rider Katie Clawson aboard.

“Lady went out on a winning note and it was neat to have the win with Katie for her last win,” said Granitz, who trained the Indiana-bred during her entire career. “She was unbeaten on the turf in Indiana and the most exciting race was her Grade 2 win at Churchill Downs.”

In all, Lady Fog Horn completed her career with 14 wins in 26 career starts and $824,273 in earnings. She won with four different jockeys up, topped by Albin Jimenez with 10 wins. Her career earnings tally makes her the leading Indiana-bred Thoroughbred of all time.

In addition to establishing herself as the state’s all-time leader in earnings, Lady Fog Horn represented the lucrative breeding opportunities in the state. The Elkstone Group received breeder awards of $304,230 while the stallion owner awards amounted to $103,625. This, combined with her purse earnings, brings the total distributed during her career to $1,232,128.

Following her retirement, Lady Fog Horn sold for $300,000 to Shadai Farm of Japan at the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.

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Hodges Photography

TEXAS CHROME – TWO-TIME TEXAS HORSE OF THE YEAR

Congrats to GRASSHOPPER’S son TEXAS CHROME on becoming a two-time Texas Horse of the Year after a brilliant career that included wins in the Grade 3 Super Derby and Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby and placings in five other graded stakes. TEXAS CHROME earned $1,033,262 to rank as the second-highest earning Texas-bred of all-time, behind only GROOVY.

GRASSHOPPER

Dixie Union – Grass Skirt, by Mr. Prospector

William Miller

GRASSHOPPER, a Grade 2 winner and multiple Grade 1-placed runner, is also the sire of five-time stakes winner SUPERMASON, who is still going strong at age 6 with earnings of more than $330,000.

2018 FEE: $3,500 – LIVE FOAL BRADESTER • CONGAREE • CROSSBOW • EAGLE • EARLY FLYER GRASSHOPPER • MY GOLDEN SONG • STONESIDER • TOO MUCH BLING Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian

22 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm

TOO MUCH BLING – TEXAS’ LEADING SIRE FIVE YEARS RUNNING!

TOO MUCH BLING

Rubiano – Rose Colored Lady, by Formal Dinner He sires 15% stakes winners!

Bee Silva

In 2017, TOO MUCH BLING added to his legacy by again topping the Texas sire standings by progeny earnings at $1.94 million, and he tied at the top of the entire Southwest standings for black-type stakes winners (five) and black-type stakes wins (eight). His newest stakes winners are IMMA BLING, winner of the Bonapaw Stakes at Fair Grounds and Spirit of Texas Stakes at Sam Houston, and RED DRESS, winner of the Groovy Stakes at Sam Houston.

2018 FEE: $6,500 – LIVE FOAL

TOO MUCH BLING sired two $100,000 Texas-bred yearlings in 2017, with a colt and a filly topping the Texas Summer Yearling sale.

THE ONLY SON OF GIANT’S CAUSEWAY IN TEXAS – STONESIDER

STONESIDER

Giant’s Causeway – Added Gold,

by Gilded Time A son of the powerful champion GIANT’S CAUSEWAY, one of the world’s most influential stallions, and out of Grade 2 winner ADDED GOLD, STONESIDER consistently produces money earners, with more than 16 percent of his starters banking $100,000+ with average earnings per starter of more than $50,000.

2018 FEE: $2,000 – LIVE FOAL BRADESTER • CONGAREE • CROSSBOW • EAGLE • EARLY FLYER GRASSHOPPER • MY GOLDEN SONG • STONESIDER • TOO MUCH BLING Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 23

Prayer for Relief

Jump Start – Sparklin Lil, by Mr. Sparkles

WOW!

WHAT A HORSE!

R Star Stallions is proud to introduce PRAYER FOR RELIEF in Indiana as one of the richest stallions to ever stand in the state!

A stakes-placed winner at 2, PRAYER FOR RELIEF established himself as one of the nation’s top 3-year-olds with three consecutive graded stakes wins in the Iowa Derby (G3), West Virginia Derby (G2) and Super Derby (G2) before going on to become a top handicap horse.

Few stallions anywhere can match his bankroll, longevity and productivity! He earned more than $2.2 million with eight wins, six seconds and 10 thirds against the best horses in the world.

In addition to six stakes wins (four graded), he placed in the Woodward Stakes (G1), Suburban Handicap (G2), Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (G2), Strub Stakes (G2), San Fernando Stakes (G2), Californian Stakes (G2) and nine other stakes!

2018 FEE - $3,000 – LIVE FOAL

R STAR STALLIONS • Anderson, Indiana Inquiries to Leigh Ann Hopper 5255 N 350 E, Anderson, IN 46012 Cell: (765) 425-5790 • E-mail: lrichwine@att.net Website: www.rstarstallions.com 24 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Detroit Race Course

Motor City Memories Remembering Detroit Race Course and the Michigan Mile

T

By J. Keeler Johnson

h e horse’s name struck fear into the hearts of his opponents, or at least the humans involved with them.

He had no need to boast of his talent and achievements, both of which had been widely applauded by members of the media; this was all well and good, for being a racehorse, he was not capable of boasting. When he walked onto a racetrack, he was like an Olympic track star approaching the starting blocks, except the distances he ran knew no boundaries—he could sprint with the sprinters and stay with the stayers.

His name was Damascus, and in the fall of 1968, he was in

Michigan for the first time to run at the relatively young track, Detroit Race Course. The object of his journey was to win the rich Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap, a race that was supposed to be a procession for Damascus—a coronation for a champion.

A 4-year-old in 1968, Damascus had won 21 of 29 races during his career to that point. The year before, he had triumphed in such historic races as the Preakness, Belmont, Travers and Woodward Stakes, winning the last-named by an astonishing 10 lengths while defeating Buckpasser and Dr. AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 25

Detroit Fairgrounds

Fager, two rivals that met or exceeded every requirement to be deemed “great” by the historians of the sport.

After earning Horse of the Year honors in 1967, Damascus could have rested on his laurels and retired with a reputation as one of the sport’s truly great racehorses. Instead, he came back in 1968 to enhance his reputation, and he did so by winning five major stakes races during the year, including the prestigious Brooklyn Handicap.

Damascus was riding a three-race win streak coming into the Michigan stakes. Facing 11 rivals, Damascus settled at the back of the pack as usual, then began to swoop past the field partway through the race.

But something was happening. Damascus was closing ground but not fast enough. He had to rally wide in the homestretch, and a longshot named Nodouble—carrying just 111 pounds to Damascus’ 133—had sprinted to a clear lead.

As the horses came to the finish line, the racing world watched in disbelief. Nodouble wasn’t going to stop. The impossible was happening—Damascus was going to lose.

The Michigan Mile had felled another champion.

From Humble Beginnings

Detroit Race Course

E.E. Dale Shaffer knew a thing or two about making it big in Thoroughbred horse racing. As the owner of Coldstream Stud outside of Lexington, Kentucky, Shaffer had the influence and wherewithal to get things done. In 1930 his father, Charles B. Shaffer, had made the fortuitous decision to import the French racehorse Bull Dog to Coldstream, and Bull Dog proved his worth as a stallion by leading the U.S. sire list in 1943 and siring Bull Lea, who would stamp his name in the history books as the sire of Triple Crown winner Citation and six other Hall of Fame racehorses.

In 1948, while representing Kentucky at a meeting of state racing commissioners, Dale Shaffer met with Lewis Bredin of

E.E. Dale Shaffer helped bring big-time racing to Detroit.

26 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Before Detroit Race Course was built, Seabiscuit won a pair of stakes at the Detroit Fairgrounds and later went on to stardom.

Michigan and began discussions about building a new track in Detroit. At that time, racing in Detroit was focused at “the Fairgrounds,” an old and outdated facility that had nevertheless hosted its fair share of stars through the years. When the owner/trainer team of Charles Howard and Tom Smith first purchased the legendary Seabiscuit, they took their thenunheralded acquisition to the Michigan State Fairgrounds, where Seabiscuit won two small stakes races in 1936. A marker now stands there to memorialize the spot’s place in history.

Previous attempts to build a new track had been foiled by a lack of funding, but Shaffer was unrestrained by such issues.

The Detroit Free Press noted that “Shaffer brought with him much of the backing that was lacking before. He brought in other Kentucky breeders and New York harness interests, and soon the Michigan Racing Association was born.”

All told, $4.75 million was raised to fund the construction of a new track by 1950, with work beginning as soon as the 1949 meet at the Fairgrounds had concluded. Less than a year later, the spectacular facility—consisting of a one-mile main track plus a half-mile training track and a half-mile harness track—opened for business on May 25, 1950. Track announcer Vic Stauffer, who called the races at Detroit from 1985 through 1987, remembers that the track “had a very old school, big-time racetrack feel to it.”

Nearly 18,000 fans turned out to attend opening day, with the aptly named Curtain Up Handicap as the feature race.

The Michigan Mile

Historic Saratoga Race Course in New York has a reputation as the “Graveyard of Champions” due to the number of great horses that have been defeated there over the years. Legends like Secretariat, Man o’ War, Gallant Fox and American Pharoah all suffered surprising losses in a variety of races in Saratoga Springs.

But when it comes to individual races, there may be no single race more deserving of the title “Graveyard of Champions” than the Michigan Mile. The list of horses that won Detroit’s biggest race is certainly impressive, yet the list of horses that were beaten reads like a “who’s who” of national champions and Hall of Famers.

Truth be told, the Michigan Mile was actually a nine-furlong race through much of its history and for many years was known as the more accurate but less catchy

“Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap.” But the distance of the race wasn’t as important as the purse, which was more than $100,000 by the late 1960s, more valuable than such storied New York races as the Metropolitan Handicap and Jockey Club Gold Cup. As a result, the race annually attracted some of the best horses in the nation, even though many fell to defeat. Damascus wasn’t the first famous horse to lose the Michigan Mile, and he certainly wasn’t the last.

“If you’re the pre-race favorite, finding the winner’s circle at the end of the Michigan Mile and One-Eighth is like locating the proverbial needle in the haystack,” wrote Associated Press sportswriter Ed Schuyler Jr. after Damascus fell to defeat.

In his widely published 1968 recap of the race, Schuyler noted that favorites had lost 19 of the first 20 renewals of the race and added, “It is becoming almost traditional for the favorite to be upset in this race.”

There was Decidedly, the 1962 Kentucky Derby winner who gave the Michigan Mile a try in 1963, only to lose by 5 ½ lengths to Crimson Satan, the champion 2-year-old male of 1961. There was Tom Rolfe, the 1965 Preakness winner who finished a shocking second in the 1966 Michigan Mile, beaten 3 ½ lengths by the unheralded Stanislas. Autobiography would earn 1972 champion older male honors, but when he made a stop at Detroit that year for the Michigan Mile, he struggled home third behind King’s Bishop and Figonero.

Even Nodouble wasn’t immune to the curse of the Michigan Mile. Two years after he upset Damascus, Nodouble was the reigning champion handicap horse and entered the

Keeneland Library/Thoroughbred Times Collection

Sweet Pick, a 2-year-old filly, chose that opportune moment to score her only victory from 19 starts that year. And although no one knew it at the time, fourth-place finisher Aunt Jinny would go on to be named the champion 2-year-old filly of 1950 after winning major stakes in New York and Maryland.

In advance of opening day, Michigan state racing commissioner Fred E. Harris released a statement anticipating the success of the new track.

“This will be quite a change from the Fairgrounds, and we’re going to enjoy watching the new track grow in beauty and success,” Harris said in the Detroit Free Press. “Let us hope that Michigan will soon take its place as one of the great racing states in the country offering the best in competition and conveniences.”

The “best in competition” wouldn’t take long in arriving.

Almost immediately, the young track had the good fortune to host a champion, and who more fitting to reap the benefits than Dale Shaffer’s wife? Mrs. Shaffer’s 2-year-old filly Sweet Patootie finished first or second in all 12 of her starts in 1952, including two allowance wins at Detroit (one in track-record time), to become the champion juvenile filly of the year.

Detroit was also an early innovator when it came to new technology. On March 9, 1955, the Ironwood Daily Globe reported that “a closed circuit television system—the first of its kind—is being installed [at Detroit] … At least eight TV cameras will be placed at strategic positions around the mile track, enabling fans and stewards to follow the complete running of the races.”

The next step was to establish a signature race, and the Michigan Mile soon took up that mantle.

Damascus, pictured in his final work before winning the 1967 Travers Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, came to Detroit for the Michigan Mile in 1968 as the reigning Horse of the Year and was defeated by Nodouble.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 27

Courtesy Michigan Gam

ing Control Board

Detroit Race Course, or simply DRC, reportedly had the largest toteboard in the country.

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Detroit Race Cours

Horses break from the gate at Detroit Race Course in 1962.

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Keeneland Library/Thoroughbred Times Collection

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My Juliet, the 1976 Eclipse Award winner as champion sprinter, stretched out to win the 1977 Michigan Mile and One-Eighth Handicap under Anthony Black.

1970 Michigan Mile as the heavy favorite off a victory in the Metropolitan Handicap at Belmont Park. Instead of scoring a repeat victory, Nodouble finished a surprising fifth.

The Michigan Mile was notable in another way—fillies and mares won the race with surprising frequency. Keeping with the theme of upset winners, the 6-year-old mare Old Hat won the race in 1965, defeating none other than soon-tobe co-Horse of the Year Roman Brother, who would win the Woodward Stakes, Manhattan Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup in his next three starts. (The upset was a mild one as Old Hat was the 1964 champion handicap mare and would be named champion again for 1965.)

My Juliet was best known as a sensational sprinter, and many of her attempts to stretch out in distance resulted in failure. Yet when she gave the Michigan Mile a try at five in 1977, tackling nine furlongs for the first time, she led all the way around to pull off an upset victory.

My Juliet’s victory was in part the result of a clever prerace strategy by trainer Gene Euster and owner George Weasel.

Publicly, Euster voiced continuous concerns about My Juliet’s ability to handle the distance, while Weasel played the role of a stubborn owner who believed his filly could do anything. As a result, My Juliet sprinted to the lead and never looked back.

Her rivals waited for her to tire, but she never did.

The Detroit Free Press of September 4, 1977, quoted Euster, who said in the winner’s circle, “We fooled ’em, it worked just as we hoped it might. We knew all the time she could go the distance, but it served our purpose to let others think she probably couldn’t do it.”

When the Grade 1-winning filly Glorious Song ran in the 1980 Michigan Mile and wasn’t favored to win, the results were exactly as one might expect—Glorious Song prevailed by a nose.

Longshot winners or not, the Michigan Mile was one of the most popular races in the state. Vic Stauffer recalls that “the fans really coveted” the Michigan Mile, and Stauffer himself counts the 1985 Michigan Mile as one of the most memorable races that he called at Detroit.

“The winner, Badwagon Harry, was a Michigan-bred,” explained Stauffer. “It was rare for a state-bred to win the track’s biggest race, since it would attract the so-called blue bloods from Kentucky and Florida. Badwagon Harry’s sire was Ole Bob Bowers, who was the sire of the great champion John Henry.”

The popularity of the Michigan Mile came during the glory days of Detroit Race Course, when racing had a monopoly on gambling and people flocked to the track. For a time during the 1960s and early 1970s, average daily attendance was hovering above 10,000. The future seemed bright.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 29

The Dominance of Terry Houghton Over the years, Detroit Race Course, or simply DRC as locals called it, hosted some of the greatest jockeys in the history of the sport, including Hall of Famers Eddie Delahoussaye, Jacinto Vasquez, Don Brumfield, Randy Romero, Chris McCarron and Pat Day. But few, if any, achieved as much success as Terry Houghton, who burst onto the scene to dominate Detroit Race Course in the 1990s.

Born in Denver, Colorado, Houghton was seemingly bound from birth for a career in racing. As a son of the successful jockey Ron Houghton, it was only natural that the younger Houghton would follow in his father’s footsteps.

“When I was real young, my parents had moved to Michigan, and it was right near the end of my dad’s career,” Houghton recalled. “I had three sisters and a brother, so we had a good-sized family, and my mom was just tired of all the moving around and traveling, so we kind of stayed based there, and that was where my dad ended his riding career.”

In 1987, at just 17 years old, Terry Houghton quietly began his own riding career, winning a respectable 200 races during his first five years as a jockey. Then, in a manner reminiscent of Secretariat’s record-breaking run in the Belmont Stakes, Houghton’s career suddenly took off. By 1994 he was winning well over 200 races per year and frequently dominated entire cards of racing at Detroit Race Course.

For many jockeys, winning two races in a single day is a notable accomplishment, while three wins is a very good day and anything more makes headlines. Six wins in a single day will even get you a mention in the American Racing Manual published each year by DRF Press, and Houghton made a

Coady Photography

Jockey Terry “T.D.” Houghton, who is closing in on 6,000 career wins, was a dominant force at Detroit Race Course in the 1990s.

30 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

habit of reaching that milestone multiple times per year at Detroit. Consider the following: • On August 21, 1994, Houghton won six races from 10 mounts at Detroit Race Course.

• On October 2, 1994, Houghton did even better, going six for eight.

• On April 28, 1995, Houghton had another six-win day.

• On July 26, 1996, Houghton did it again, going six for nine.

• On October 27, 1996, Houghton won six races from 11 mounts.

• To celebrate Independence Day in 1997, Houghton went six for nine—and did it again on November 18, 1997.

• On July 19, 1998, in the final year of racing at Detroit, Houghton went one better than usual, scoring seven wins from nine mounts.

Not surprisingly, Houghton’s seven-day win still stands out in his mind, in part because he might have gone a perfect nine for nine with a little luck.

“The day that I won seven races, that was a really big day for me,” he recalled. “It was funny, because that day two of my double calls in races that I also rode, they won. So actually, if I just happened to have gotten lucky enough to ride all the right mounts at that time, I could’ve won nine races that day.”

Needless to say, Houghton was the leading rider at Detroit on several occasions and went on to be a dominant force at other Michigan racetracks, including Great Lakes Downs and Pinnacle Race Course. But nearly two decades after Detroit closed its doors, Houghton still has fond memories of the track.

“I liked DRC when they were running there; it was actually a fairly nice racetrack,” he said. “It was the secondwidest racetrack [in the country] behind Belmont Park … it was where I grew up, and it was home for me and my agent Frank Garoufalis. He was a top agent there for a long time, and when he took my book … I just really exploded. We won a lot of races, and I was second in the nation I think twice and third in the nation a couple times also. I had a lot of good years riding there.”

Thanks to his remarkable success, Houghton could have tried his hand at bigger tracks in other states, but he chose to stay at Detroit, a decision he feels was the right choice.

“I was winning so many races there it was kind of hard to leave,” he said. “I had opportunities where I could have gone elsewhere, and when I look back on it, I’m glad I stayed where I was at, because I had a lot of success there and won a lot of races. It’s hard to say when you go somewhere else … if you break in, or you get lucky, you get off to a good start, you could do real well, and sometimes you look back and you say, ‘I kind of wish I would’ve went to either New York or Kentucky,’ but I’m happy with what I’ve done.”

Detroit Race Course

Before winning the 1991 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) and Horse of the Year honors, Black Tie Affair captured the Michigan Mile Handicap (G2) and in this photo the Cornhusker Handicap (G3) at Ak-Sar-Ben.

Changing Times

The 1980s brought many changes to Detroit Race Course, some of them good and others more questionable. The earlier arrival of the Michigan state lottery in 1972 meant that racing was no longer the only option for people’s gambling dollars; Detroit Race Course, no longer having a monopoly on gambling, began to suffer. In 1980, with attendance and handle dropping, the owners of Detroit Race Course invested significant money to renovate and revitalize the aging track.

They also began to shake things up with Sunday night racing, and even conducted the 1980 Michigan Mile under the lights.

“We’re experimenting,” the track’s Director of Racing Bud Sears said in the June 14, 1980, edition of the Detroit Free Press.

“Sunday racing has been well received this year, and we want to use the Mile to lure new people to the sport.”

In some ways, the move was a success—attendance on Sundays was more than four times as high as attendance on weekdays, and daily handle climbed as well. The Michigan Mile continued to attract quality graded stakes winners: Timeless Native, Waquoit, Lost Code and Horse of the Year Black Tie Affair all won the Michigan Mile during the 1980s and early 1990s.

At the same time that the Michigan Mile was experiencing good fortune, Detroit Race Course was purchased by the Britishbased Ladbroke Corp. in 1985, and the name of the track was changed to Ladbroke DRC. Under new management, Detroit inaugurated the Michigan Sire Stakes, a special day of stakes races for Michigan-bred runners. Pongo Boy and Karate Miss were two stars of the series, combining to win five Michigan Sire Stakes races at Detroit. Pongo Boy, a tough-as-nails veteran of the Michigan circuit, actually competed in seven editions of the Michigan Sire Stakes from 1994 through 2001.

But Ladbroke was losing money running the track, and to keep it going they needed help from the state legislature. They needed a way to earn back gambling dollars that were being siphoned away by an ever-increasing number of new attractions.

The End of the Line

Gaming.

That single word, depending on the context, has meant life or death to many tracks across the country over the last 30 years. So when asked about the factors that led to the end of racing at Detroit, it’s not surprising that Vic Stauffer could sum it all up with that one-word answer.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 31

Notable Champions That Ran at Detroit Race Course HORSE

CHAMPIONSHIP TITLES

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES AT DETROIT

Aunt Jinny

Champion 2yo Filly of 1950

4th in 1950 Curtain Up Stakes

Sweet Patootie

Champion 2yo Filly of 1952

1st in two 1952 allowance races

Sickle’s Image

Champion Handicap Mare of 1953

1st in 1952 F.M. Alger Memorial Stakes 3rd in 1954 Tomboy Stakes

Crimson Satan

Champion 2yo Male of 1961

1st 1963 Michigan Mile 1st 1964 handicap race

Old Hat

Co-Champion Handicap Mare of 1964 Champion Handicap Mare of 1965

1st 1965 Michigan Mile 1st 1966 Sweet Patootie Stakes

Roman Brother

Co-Horse of the Year of 1965 Champion Handicap Horse of 1965

2nd 1965 Michigan Mile

Tom Rolfe

Champion 3yo Male of 1965

2nd 1966 Michigan Mile

Damascus

Horse of the Year of 1967 Champion 3yo Male of 1967 Co-Champion Handicap Horse of 1967

2nd 1968 Michigan Mile

Nodouble

Co-Champion Handicap Horse of 1969 Co-Champion Handicap Horse of 1970

1st 1968 Michigan Mile

Autobiography

Champion Older Male of 1972

3rd 1972 Michigan Mile

My Juliet

Champion Sprinter of 1976

1st 1977 Michigan Mile

Glorious Song

Champion Older Female of 1980

1st 1980 Michigan Mile

Black Tie Affair

Horse of the Year of 1991 Champion Older Male of 1991

1st 1991 Michigan Mile

32 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Detroit Race Course

The state lottery had an impact on Detroit, but the worst was still to come. Competition from nearby casinos put a further dent in wagering at Detroit Race Course, and when Detroit voters chose to allow the creation of casinos in the city, there were few options for the survival of the racetrack.

Full-card simulcasting of races from other tracks provided a temporary respite, but with the track and horsemen receiving a smaller share of simulcast revenue than wagering on their own races, the boost was not enough.

In March 1998, with losses mounting (estimated at $18 million over 14 years) and no path to expanded gaming at the track in sight, Ladbroke sold Detroit Race Course for approximately $30 million to Millennium Park LLC, a development group that would demolish the track and create Millennium Park, described by the Detroit Free Press as “an upscale industrial and retail campus.”

“It was kind of a sad deal,” said Houghton, who explained that Ladbroke “had been trying for quite some time to get the slot machines there, and then when they couldn’t get them, they ended up selling it … right out from under the horsemen’s feet. The horsemen didn’t even know about it until it was already sold, and then when they found out that they had sold it, [the horsemen] offered to buy it for even more money than what they sold it for.

“It was kind of sad because I really think … if Ladbroke didn’t own it … but it’s hard to say because nobody in Thoroughbred racing has been able to get the slots in Michigan yet to this day.”

The last day of racing was held on November 8, 1998, quietly slipping by as racing fans relaxed after the November 7 Breeders’ Cup. No prominent farewell was orchestrated—track announcer Sam McKee told the Detroit Free Press that “We’ll do a few things, but it’s not going to be a gala affair … There’s no reason for a celebration.”

On a cloudy afternoon, a crowd of 4,252 people turned out to watch the races and say goodbye. Eleven races offering a total of $77,500 in purse money were conducted; naturally, Terry Houghton won two races, including the feature.

“Auld Lang Syne” echoed across the track as the horses approached the starting gate for the final race. At 6:31 p.m., the horses left the gate, and a little more than a minute later, a filly named Southern Flavor crossed the wire a head in front after a prolonged rally in the homestretch. One last time, a victory was celebrated. Then the day was over, and Detroit Race Course entered the history books.

Without a signature track, racing in Michigan has struggled over the last 20 years. Great Lakes Downs, a revitalized harness racing track, was created to take up the slack, but it lasted less than a decade before closing its doors in 2007. Racing then moved to the brand-new Pinnacle Race Course in 2008, but it survived for just three seasons. Now, racing in Michigan continues at Hazel Park, which opened one year prior to Detroit Race Course in 1949. Hazel offered both Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing early on, then switched to just Standardbreds before

While Detroit Race Course did bring some innovations to the sport, such as closed-circuit TV viewing and additional camera angles, it also clung to tradition and never added a turf course or timed races in hundredths of a second.

bringing back Thoroughbreds a few years ago.

In some respects, it could be said that Detroit Race Course failed to keep up with the times. The track never upgraded to timing races in hundredths of seconds; it stuck with tradition and timed races exclusively in fifths until the bitter end. The track never installed a turf course either, and Houghton believes that could have made a difference.

“Really, they could have put a turf course in there, just like Tampa Bay Downs,” says the still active rider with more than 5,700 wins to his credit. “As soon as they got that turf course, they really blossomed after that because a lot of horsemen, they like to run [their horses on turf ], and gamblers bet turf races more so than they do on the dirt, so when tracks have the turf courses, their handle always goes up … that really helped Tampa Bay Downs.”

Nowadays, Detroit Race Course rests in peace beneath Millennium Park, slumbering eternally entombed under busy streets and stores. Someday, perhaps, a new “Detroit Race Course” will be built, and racing in Michigan can thrive again, returning to its glory days when champions were routinely in action.

But until that day arrives—if it arrives—horsemen and racing fans have to be content with having “DRC” live on in memory. H J. Keeler Johnson (also known as “Keelerman”) is a writer, blogger, videographer, handicapper and all-around horse racing enthusiast. Johnson is the author of the Bloodhorse.com blog Unlocking Winners and is a regular contributor to America’s Best Racing (americasbestracing.net). He is also the founder of the horse racing website, theturfboard.com.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 33

IT MAKES “CENTS” TO BREED IN IOWA!

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Iowa offers one of the top breeding and racing incentive programs in the country, and Iowa State University has the stallions to help you capitalize!

FORMIDABLE Sky Mesa - Santaria, by Star de Naskra • A five-time winner and Grade 2-placed son of Grade 1 winner and top 2yo sire SKY MESA (lifetime progeny earnings of nearly $50 million)

• Out of the four-time graded stakes-placed STAR DE NASKRA mare SANTARIA, who also produced Grade 2 winner AIR COMMANDER and multiple graded stakes winner and successful sire MEDALLIST 2018 Fee: $1,500 Considerations for multiple mares

NEWPORT More Than Ready - Secretly,

by Secretariat • Son of Grade 1 winner and leading sire MORE THAN READY (stands for $60,000 with progeny earnings of nearly $90 million) • Out of the Grade 2-placed SECRETARIAT mare SECRETLY 2018 Fee: $1,500 Considerations for multiple mares

Standing at: Iowa State University 119 Kildee, Ames, IA 50011 Inquiries to Nikki Ferwerda Phone: (515) 290-7669 • Fax: (515) 294-0018 nikkif@iastate.edu • www.ans.iastate.edu/stallions Both are Iowa accredited stallions and nominated to the Iowa Stallion Stakes

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EASILY IOWA’S LEADING STALLION IN 2017!

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STROLL Pulpit – Maid for Walking (GB), Prince Sabo (GB) • A son of the tremendous sire of sires PULPIT, STROLL was a superior racehorse who had seven wins and three seconds in 16 starts with four graded stakes victories, including the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic • Progeny earnings of more than $10 million, with $1.7 million in 2017 alone, making him Iowa’s top stallion in a runaway!

• Sire of five stakes horses in 2017, including three-time stakes winner and graded stakes-placed SPECIAL ENVOY ($287,650)

• STROLL has sired 24 stakes horses, including Grade 3 winner KYLANDER GIRL ($809,310), Grade 3 winner and Canadian champion VAN LEAR ROSE, Grade 3 winners GREAT MINDS and WALKABOUT, and Grade 1-placed Moonlit Stroll 2018 Fee: $2,000

Standing at: Iowa State University 119 Kildee, Ames, IA 50011 Inquiries to Nikki Ferwerda Phone: (515) 290-7669 • Fax: (515) 294-0018 nikkif@iastate.edu • www.ans.iastate.edu/stallions Iowa accredited stallion • Nominated to the Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes

“Probably the first time we’ve mentioned an Iowa stallion. Unbelievable what this sire does with ordinary mares. Progeny are remarkably quick and can run on all surfaces. Maybe the most potent sire to ever stand in Iowa.”

–ThoroughbredReview.com

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 35

WHERE THE SOUTHWEST SELLS! Mark your calendar for the 2018 Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale!

S ale : A pril 10 • U nder T ack S how : A pril 8 • L one S tar P ark

T he sale location at L one S tar P ark in the D allas /F t . W orth M etroplex makes it easy for buyers and sellers from around the country to attend !

Dustin Orona Photography

T he T exas 2-Y ear -O lds in T raining sale is the place to buy and sell T exas - breds , L ouisiana - breds , O klahoma - breds A rkansas - breds and quality stock from K entucky and beyond !

Congratulations to GALACTICA (left) and JANAE on winning their divisions of the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Futurity with total purses of more than $200,000!

TTA SALES

For consignment forms and more information, go to www.ttasales.com or call Tim Boyce at (972) 523-0332 or the Texas Thoroughbred Association office at (512) 458-6133.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SUMMER 2017 36

DRAMEDY DISTORTED HUMOR – SHE’S A WINNER, BY A.P. INDY A Grade 2 winner from one of the Stud Book’s best families!

Dustin Orona Photography

s

A son of leading sire and top sire of sires DISTORTED HUMOR, DRAMEDY is a Grade 2 winner now standing in Oklahoma!

From a family loaded with black-type, DRAMEDY is a half brother to Grade 1-winning millionaire and top sire BLUEGRASS CAT. He descends from the foundation mare LA TROIENNE with a pedigree that includes GET LUCKY, a sister to champion RHYTHM and the dam of G1 winner GIROLAMO, G2 winner DAYDREAMING (dam of millionaire IMAGINING) and Supercharger, the dam of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner SUPER SAVER. His first four dams have produced the winners of more than $10 million and his broodmare sire A.P. INDY ranks among the best of all time.

2018 FEE: $2,500 LFSN

ALSO STANDING

WILBURN

Bernardini – Moonlight Sonata, by Carson City $3,500 LFSN

For information: RIVER OAKS FARMS INC. P.O. Box 97 • Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086 Inquiries to Lori or Francisco Bravo • Ranch: (580) 622-4412 Phone: (940) 367-4380 or (940) 367-4457 • Fax: (580) 622-4411 Accredited Oklahoma Stallion Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes

www.riveroaksthoroughbreds.comAMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

37

THE NOBLE

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-stereo-1s02872

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-35236

War Horse

BY KIM MARIETTE

38 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

“

“

A LOOK BACK AT GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT’S THOROUGHBRED CINCINNATI

General Grant, I wish to give you a noble horse, who has no superior on the continent, as a testimony for my admiration of your character and past services to our country. There is a condition to the gift: that you will always treat him kindly.1

GENERAL GRANT CHOSE NOT TO BE MOUNTED ON CINCINNATI FOR THIS 1864 PORTRAIT, TAKEN IN COLD HARBOR, VIRGINIA. (Opposite) GRANT CAPTURED BY NOTED CIVIL WAR PHOTOGRAPHER MATHEW BRADY. (Left) GROOM HOLDING CINCINNATI AT CITY POINT, VIRGINIA, IN MARCH 1865. (Below)

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-ppmsca-35236

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-stereo-1s02751

These words were quietly spoken to Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant by a bedridden citizen in St. Louis, Missouri.

Thus began the story of Grant and his Thoroughbred war horse, Cincinnati.

In January 1864, Grant took the time between campaigns to travel to St. Louis to visit his son, who was hospitalized with dysentery. During his stay, Grant received a note marked “Urgent” from the Lindell Hotel. Having just won the Battle of Chattanooga, he was accustomed to receiving personal requests from citizens who wished to congratulate him for his efforts in the field. Grant was also accustomed to turning those requests down. However, this note was signed “S.S. Grant,” and the initials happened to be those of General Grant’s recently deceased brother. Intrigued, Grant sent word back to this S.S. Grant that he would call upon him in his room at the hotel.

At their meeting, S.S. Grant revealed that he was an invalid and would never be able to ride again. Being an admirer of Grant

as a Civil War officer and of his character as a private citizen, S.S. Grant was very much aware of the general’s horsemanship skills and his love of horses. He offered to gift “the finest horse in the world” to General Grant with two conditions. First, the horse would always have good care and never be mistreated, and second, if Grant was unable to keep the horse for any reason that he personally ensure the next owner of the horse provide the same level of treatment and care that Grant did. The general promised that he would honor these requests and left the man’s bedside to travel to Cincinnati, Ohio.

Upon seeing the 4-year-old bay for the first time, Grant christened him “Cincinnati” after the city in which he was being kept. Being an excellent judge of horseflesh, Grant immediately recognized the breeding behind his new horse.

Cincinnati’s sire was the famous Thoroughbred stallion Lexington, one of the fastest horses in the United States at the time.

On April 2, 1855, at the Metairie race course in New Orleans, Lexington ran against the clock, covering four miles in 7:19 3/4 to best the existing record by 6 1/4 seconds. Lexington had the pedigree to be a runner and a stallion, and he certainly was both of those. He was inbred to the well-known stallion Sir Archy in the

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 39

The Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, Prints and Photographs: Photography Collection, The New York Public Library

LEXINGTON, THE SIRE OF CINCINNATI, WAS THE COUNTRY’S LEADING SIRE FOR 16 YEARS.

third and fourth generations and twice to the speedy stallion Diomed in the fourth generation. In addition to selective breeding, Lexington’s sire was the outstanding racehorse Boston, famous for his speed on the track and for producing fast runners (including trotters) in the breeding shed. Lexington barely escaped being forcibly “recruited” into the Civil War. As the war consumed horses by the thousands, it became increasingly difficult for the government remount stations to provide a steady supply of reliable equines. Union soldiers, desperate for horses to pull artillery and to replace their fallen mounts, confiscated horses from farms and stables. Lexington, 15 years old and blind from an asyet undiagnosed facial infection, was hidden from Union soldiers to spare him such a fate.

Lexington was America’s leading sire for 16 years. Among the notable runners he sired are Kentucky and Asteroid.

Kentucky had only two losses in his 23 starts and went on to a successful stud career. Asteroid went undefeated in 12 starts but was forced to retire early due to a bowed tendon.

As with his famous sire, Asteroid narrowly escaped the horrors of war himself. In 1864 Confederate soldiers raided Woodburn Farm in Kentucky where Asteroid was standing at stud and immediately confiscated the stallion. Thanks to an observant and diplomatic neighbor, Asteroid’s freedom was negotiated, and he was returned to the farm. After this harrowing incident, Asteroid, his sire Lexington and several other prominent stallions were moved to the relative safety of Illinois.

Critics of Cincinnati’s conformation complained that it was poor in some respects and doubted whether Cincinnati would have lived up to his pedigree on the racetrack. Although he had powerful hindquarters, he reportedly had “rather straight hocks” and was “camped out” behind. He had large shoulders that “bulged,” which gave his long legs a gangly appearance. Others 40 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

felt he had “less than ideal” bone below the knee. However, his deep, wide chest indicated great heart and endurance, despite any faults found with his conformation.

Cincinnati had an intelligent expression and a slight Roman nose, which endeared him to his rider. Grant took to calling his horse “Cincinnatus,” the Latin version of his name. (Cincinnatus was a Roman farmer who entered war and became a general; after the war ended, he returned to his quiet farming life by using his battle sword as a plow. However, historians dispute Grant’s use of Cincinnatus as simply being a pet name favored by him, not a reference to the Roman soldier with the same name.)

Cincinnati had a ewe-neck, which would have given him high head carriage. This also would have shortened his stride and caused a “rangy” gait, rather than the smoother stride associated with 17-hand horses. A horse with Cincinnati’s conformation would have been fatiguing for a rider to sit for long periods of time. But Grant was no regular rider. A lifetime of training and riding the most unmanageable horses had given Grant’s five-foot, eight-inch, 145-pound frame excellent balance and strength, and he sat the horse easily.

Courtesy of Library of Congress, Reproduction Number: LC-DIG-cwpb-01695

THREE OF GRANT’S HORSES AT COLD HARBOR, VIRGINIA, IN JUNE 1864. CINCINNATI IS TACKED UP, FLANKED BY EGYPT ON HIS RIGHT AND LITTLE JEFF ON HIS LEFT.

Although Grant had other horses in his string (including another bay Thoroughbred named Egypt), Cincinnati quickly became Grant’s horse of choice.

Being the primary mount of a Civil War general, Cincinnati travelled two or three times the distance of soldiers on the march.

Grant rode him up and down the lines, issuing orders, providing directions and keeping the speed up of the men. In addition to his stamina, Cincinnati also had the speed necessary to gallop his rider away to safety if the march fell under attack.

Despite Cincinnati’s conspicuous size on the battlefield, Grant

also chose to ride the horse directly into the fray, often leading the charges personally. Grant marveled at the endurance of his war horse and at his manageability amid the noise and confusion of battle. Grant could contain the horse’s excitement with a steady hand and could guide him easily with a leg on either side, although some observers described the horse as “fierce” on the battlefield. Grant’s encoder, Captain Samuel H. Beckwith, was so impressed with watching Cincinnati in battle that he felt there was no artist that could accurately portray the horse in action.

Being an officer’s horse, Cincinnati enjoyed a higher level of care in the field than that of his lower-ranking equine companions.

Cincinnati was kept in a small wooden paddock behind Grant’s tent, enjoying daily grooming sessions and regular feedings. Horses ridden by the soldiers were tied side-by-side on picket lines, where their riders often had to be ordered to care properly for them. When food became scarce, guards had to be posted on the picket lines to prevent hungry soldiers from stealing feed from their horses.

It was during the Wilderness Campaign of May 1864 that Cincinnati showed Grant exactly what he was made of. The battle took place over 70 square miles in Virginia of the worst Mother Nature had to offer—soggy swampland with an undergrowth of tangled scrub grass and thickets. In addition, the entire area was full of fallen trees and large dead branches.

Although Grant had other horses in his string to use for scouting, he chose Cincinnati to carry him over the tortuous terrain every day. Horse and rider would return to camp almost unrecognizable from the mud. A horse of Cincinnati’s large size would have seemed to be a poor choice for such riding conditions, but Grant was counting on his horse’s athleticism during the battle, despite the poor footing. Grant felt that Cincinnati would be a presence of power during the campaign and an inspiration to his men.

Cincinnati survived the Wilderness Campaign and every battle thereafter, with no recorded injuries. At the end of the war in April 1865, Cincinnati carried his commander to the solemn surrender of the Confederate Army at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia.

Only two other people were permitted to ride Cincinnati.

One was Admiral Daniel Ammen, a childhood friend who had saved Grant from drowning in a local river when they were eight years old, and the other was President Abraham Lincoln, who joined Grant in the field a month before the war came to an end.

Grant described Lincoln as a “fine horseman” and stated that he rode Cincinnati every day.

In 1869 Grant became the 18th president of the United States and moved to the White House, bringing his favorite Civil War

horses with him. Cincinnati, along with Egypt and a small gaited horse Grant called Jeff Davis or “Little Jeff” (a jab at Confederate President Jefferson Davis), was kept in the stables on the White House grounds. Not happy with the plain Georgian brick building that was the White House stable, Grant commissioned a High Victorian-style building with a mansard roof to house his beloved horses. The new building was completed in 1871.

Cincinnati remained Grant’s favorite in civilian life, the two of them often seen on a leisurely walk through town on a summer’s evening. When an equestrian statue of Grant mounted on Cincinnati was commissioned in Grant’s second presidential term, he would send a daily request to the stable to tack up Cincinnati.

Together, Grant and his old war horse would ride out to observe progress on the memorial.

Grant often described Cincinnati as “the finest horse he had ever seen” and once turned down an offer of $10,000 for him (approximately $156,000 today).

Cincinnati was eventually retired to Ammen’s Maryland farm, where he died in September 1878. H Kim Mariette is a Minnesota-based author who specializes in horses and related subjects, with an emphasis on military themed topics. Her 35-year career spans a diverse range of equine publications, from Art Horse to Western Horseman.

Notes 1. James Grant Wilson, “Famous American War-Horses,” The Outlook Illustrated Monthly, January 1897, Vol. 55, No. 1, 54.

Bibliography Dowdall, Denise M. From Cincinnati to the Colorado Ranger: The Horsemanship of Ulysses S. Grant. historyeye, 2012.

Kelsey, Marie Ellen. Ulysses S. Grant: A Bibliography. Westport, CT: Praeger Publishers, 2005.

Porter, Horace. Campaigning with Grant. Secaucus, NJ: The Blue and Grey Press, 1985.

Smith, Jean Edward. Grant. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002.

Soodalter, Ron. “Lee, Grant and Their Steadfast Steeds.” America’s Civil War, March 2011, 43–49.

Wilson, James Grant. “Famous American War-Horses.” The Outlook Illustrated Monthly, January 1897, Vol. 55, No. 1, 51–59.

———. “War-Horses of Famous Generals.” The Century Magazine, N/A, 52–53.

Worman, Charles G. Civil War Animal Heroes: Mascots, Pets and War Horses. Lynchburg, VA: Schroeder Publications, 2011. www.civilwarhorses.net/home www.granthomepage.com/grantequestrian.htm

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 41

About American Racehorse With a total circulation of more than 5,000, American Racehorse magazine (formerly Southern Racehorse) is by far North America’s largest regional racing and breeding publication. Each quarterly issue includes horse health articles, how-to advice, historical pieces, second-career racehorse/off-track Thoroughbred (OTTB) stories and profiles of the horses, horsemen and horsewomen in the Southwest, Midwest and Midsouth regions, plus news and information about racing, breeding and sales.

Although it primarily covers the Thoroughbred industry, the magazine also goes to a high percentage of horsemen in the American Quarter Horse industry. The American Racehorse Stallion Register, published each December, is the largest publication of its kind and will be the fifth issue of the year.

The full-color magazine was named the top state/regional publication by American Horse Publications at its 2014 Awards Banquet and the runner-up in 2016, with the judges noting that it “outshined the other entries in this category with strong layout and a visually appealing flow throughout the magazine. A spectacular work of art.”

Endorsed and supported by 13 state breed associations, American Racehorse is mailed to EVERY member of those associations and includes important member updates, assuring that each issue is read. American Racehorse covers all the major Thoroughbred auctions in the 13 states and has on-site distribution at numerous sales, racetracks, racing events and breed association offices. It is mailed to members of the: Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma (TRAO) Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (ITOBA) Ohio Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders (OTBO) Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association (ITBOA) Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association (ATBHA) Minnesota Thoroughbred Association (MTA) Alabama Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (ALHBPA) Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) Georgia Horse Racing Coalition (GHRC) Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (MTOBA) North Carolina Thoroughbred Association (NCTA) South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (SCTOBA) Plus hundreds of horsemen in Louisiana

2018 Ad Deadlines WINTER 2018 (mails in late January) Ad Space Reservations: January 5 Ad Materials Due: January 12

FALL 2018 (mails in late October) Ad Space Reservations: September 28 Ad Materials Due: October 5

SPRING 2018 (mails in late March) Ad Space Reservations: March 2 Ad Materials Due: March 9

2019 STALLION REGISTER (mails in December 2018) Ad Space Reservations: October 5 Ad Materials Due: October 12

SUMMER 2018 (mails in late July) Ad Space Reservations: June 29 Ad Materials Due: July 6

42 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Advertising Rates One Issue

Full-page Half-page Quarter-page Classified ad

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FULL-YEAR BONUS: With any full-year, full-page package, get a free website button ad on the American Racehorse website.

All rates include free design services if requested. Agency discount available.

Ad Specifications Full-Page Trim Size . . . . .8.5” x 11” Live Area . . . . . . . . . .8” x 10.5” Half-page horizontal . . .7.375” x 5” Half-page vertical . . . .3.675” x 10” Quarter-page . . . . . . . .3.675” x 5” Double Truck (2-page spread): Document must be set up as “Facing Pages” Left page: 8.75” x 11.25” Add .25” bleed on top, bottom and left side

Email: 300 dpi PDFs accepted at info@americanracehorse.com

Mailing Information: AMERICAN RACEHORSE P.O. Box 8645 Round Rock, TX 78683 Phone: (512) 695-4541 Fax: (512) 870-9324

Right page: 8.75” x 11.25”

Add .25” bleed on top, bottom and right side

No elements shall jump gutter Full-Bleed Pages: Art for full-page bleed should be 9” x 11.5”

AMERICAN RACEHORSE www.americanracehorse.com info@americanracehorse.com Twitter - @AmerRacehorse Facebook - www.facebook.com/AmericanRacehorse

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 43

THE EAGLE HAS LANDED… AT VALOR FARM! A graded stakes-winning son of CANDY RIDE standing his first season in 2018

Coady Photography

EAGLE

Candy Ride (Arg) – Sea Gull, by Mineshaft An earner of more than $750,000!

A talented runner at 2, EAGLE won at first asking going five furlongs and finished his juvenile campaign with a record of 4-2-1-1 and a placing in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes.

EAGLE then developed into a top handicap horse with a win in the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes

at Keeneland and six graded stakes placings, including the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap, Grade 2 Alysheba Stakes and Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap. He ran first or second in 14 of 24 starts.

His sire, CANDY RIDE, is the #1 active sire in North America represented by Horse of the Year GUN RUNNER ($15,988,500) and emerging top sire TWIRLING CANDY. EAGLE is the only son of CANDY RIDE standing in Texas!

2018 FEE: $5,000 – LIVE FOAL PROPERTY OF W.S. FARISH

BRADESTER • CONGAREE • CROSSBOW • EAGLE • EARLY FLYER GRASSHOPPER • MY GOLDEN SONG • STONESIDER • TOO MUCH BLING Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian

44 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm

THE RICHEST SIRE IN TEXAS – CONGAREE

CONGAREE

Arazi – Mari’s Sheba, by Mari’s Book A remarkably talented and durable racehorse, CONGAREE earned more than $3.2 million while winning 10 stakes in his 25 starts, including the Grade 1 Cigar Mile (twice), Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup, Grade 1 Carter Handicap and Grade 1 Swaps Stakes, and hitting the board in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby and Grade 1 Preakness Stakes.

2018 FEE: $3,000 – LIVE FOAL

As a sire, CONGAREE is represented by the earners of more than $17 million, including Grade 1-winning millionaires JERANIMO and DON’T TELL SOPHIA (out of a VALID EXPECTATIONS mare).

CROSSBOW – ONE OF THE REGION’S MOST EXCITING YOUNG STALLIONS

CROSSBOW

Bernardini – Forest Heiress,

by Forest Wildcat A fast and talented son of BERNARDINI out of two-time Grade 3 winner FOREST HEIRESS, CROSSBOW has sired FINAL ARROW, winner of the Listed $75,000 Kip Deville Stakes at Remington Park, and Rogue Arrow, a winner of his first two starts and runner-up in the Texas Stallion Stakes.

William Miller

2018 FEE: $2,000 – LIVE FOAL BRADESTER • CONGAREE • CROSSBOW • EAGLE • EARLY FLYER GRASSHOPPER • MY GOLDEN SONG • STONESIDER • TOO MUCH BLING Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 45

Beyond the

Merri Melde

Legacy

46 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Valor Farm forges ahead under Douglas Scharbauer’s ownership

By Judy L. Marchman

A

s you drive east along FM 455 over the Lake Ray Roberts Dam toward Pilot Point, Texas, you can’t help but wonder if you’ll know when you’ve reached Valor Farm. No worries. The impressive red brick entryway that comes into view is a dead giveaway. As you drive over the pond bridge heading up the main office and stallion barn, it’s hard not to be impressed with the farm’s beauty—gentle rolling hills, plenty of oak trees, stately red-brick barns. The stallions are grazing in their paddocks and a resident flock of Canada geese are hanging out with the mares.

Valor Farm is more than just a showplace. Reigning as the largest commercial breeding farm in the Lone Star State, the farm exemplifies the commitment of the farm’s late founders, Clarence and Dorothy Scharbauer, to racing and breeding in the state. Now, that legacy is in the capable hands of their son, Douglas Scharbauer, who took over ownership in August 2016.

“He really gets this and understands what’s needed,” said Ken Carson, who has served as general manager of Valor Farm from the beginning.

For Scharbauer’s part, his appreciation of and pride in carrying on his parents’ legacy is evident: “I wanted to work with what my mother and father had put together.”

He credited his own interest in Thoroughbred horse racing to being in his genes thanks to his parents.

A statue of Alysheba, with Chris McCarron up, greets visitors to Lone Star Park, located about 50 miles south of Valor Farm in North Texas.

Denis Blake

“It’s what they loved. And I have long wanted to own Thoroughbreds and get into the racing business.”

At Scharbauer’s request, the nearly 30-year-old farm is getting freshened up a bit in places. Last fall, the farm office and stallion barn underwent some renovations and redecorating to add a custom trophy case at the office entrance, new wood floors throughout the office and space for a large-screen TV. The reno had Carson working from his home on the property and office manager Deborah Goin and operations manager Shanna Sjogren working from the mare barn, but the excitement of finally seeing the finished product was palpable— not least of which was being able to move back into their offices.

Not surprisingly, many of the farm’s staff are essentially lifers, and Carson likened them to “a family. Valor Farm is a fabulous looking place but the people—Shanna, Deborah, Donny, everyone—make this place.”

Handling the day-to-day farm operations is longtime farm manager Donny Denton, who oversees a team of eight workers that handle any tasks, equine or maintenance, that come their way.

“They see every horse, every day,” Carson said. “They know them so well, so they know when something’s not right before it’s apparent. They can call Donny about a foal. He will go and look and the foal seems fine, but he takes a temperature and sure enough, the foal is already getting a fever. When you can get right on that, you’re fine.”

As a breeding farm, Valor Farm is home to nine stallions, including the state’s perennial leading sire Too Much Bling, and about 30-40 client mares that board year-round. Douglas Scharbauer also keeps 11-12 mares at Valor as well as several more in Kentucky at Hidden Brook Farm near Paris. Last year, Valor Farm foaled out some 90 mares, which includes nonboarding mares brought in to foal, breed back and then go back to their owners.

“Donny and I figured out that we’ve foaled five generations of mares here,” Carson said. “We’ve had outside mares for some of the same people for years. Victoria Ashford and Bob and Myrna Luttrell, for example. They’ve kept mare here for years and years.”

E S TA B L I S H I N G A T E X A S P R E S E N C E A native of San Antonio and a graduate of Texas A&M University, Carson first got to know Clarence and Dorothy Scharbauer in the mid-1980s. It was a connection that would ultimately bring him back home to Texas from Kentucky after a stint at Three Chimneys Farm in the early 1990s. But he initially came on board to help them buy some Thoroughbred yearlings.

“Horses were in their blood,” Carson said. “Dorothy loved going to the races and so did Clarence.” So much so that for many years, the couple would spend weekends at Ruidoso Downs during the summer for the races.

The Scharbauers are best known, of course, for owning Alysheba, the 1987 Kentucky Derby winner and 1988 Horse of the Year who ran in the name of Dorothy and daughter Pamela. But their connection to Thoroughbred racing went AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 47

VA L O R ’ S F E M A L E FA M I L I E S The grande dame of Valor Farm’s breeding program is unquestionably Alysheba’s full sister, Alysbelle. She was purchased as a yearling by Clarence Scharbauer at the 1990 Keeneland July select yearling sale for $950,000 from the consignment of her breeder, Preston Madden. As Carson recounted, “We went up to see her and she was really nicelooking so it was a foregone conclusion that she would be coming home with us.”

Like her older brother, she raced for Scharbauer under the tutelage of Jack Van Berg. Alysbelle won four of 23 starts over 48 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

four years of racing and earned $355,875. Her top victory came in the Grade 2 La Canada Stakes in 1993 at Santa Anita, and she placed in three other graded stakes.

But it was as a broodmare that Alysbelle’s true value has been fully realized.

“None of us could have known at the time but [Scharbauer] set us up for years with her,” Carson said. “It’s been a super family for us.”

Alysbelle, who died in 2007 and is buried at the farm, only produced one stakes winner, the Japanese runner Matikane Kinnohosi (by Seattle Slew), but she looms large in the pedigrees of some of Valor Farm’s best runners, including the graded stakes-winning fillies and Texas-bred champions Fiftyshadesofgold and Thegirlinthatsong.

Fiftyshadesofgold, who won the Grade 3 Eight Belles Stakes in 2014, is out of the winning Hadif mare Hadif Cat, a granddaughter of Alysbelle. The 2014 Texas Broodmare of the Year, Hadif Cat also produced Texas Stallion Stakes winners

Established not long after pari-mutuel wagering was re-legalized in Texas in 1987, Valor Farm has been in operation for almost 30 years.

Merri Melde

much further back, to Dorothy’s father, Fred Turner, who won the 1959 Kentucky Derby with Tomy Lee. “She told Clarence that she’d always wanted to go back to the sales and buy some horses and run in the Derby,” Carson said.

So, that’s what they did. They bought one yearling in 1984 at the Keeneland September sale, a Cox’s Ridge colt, then returned the following summer for Keeneland’s July select sale and came away with a chestnut colt by Alydar out of the Lt. Stevens mare Bel Sheba. Consigned by his breeder, Preston Madden, the colt, to be named Alysheba, was purchased by Dorothy for $500,000.

“When Alysheba started running, for the next three years, we traveled around and followed that horse,” Carson recalled with a smile. “What a fabulous run!”

With Alysheba’s success on the track and the passage of parimutuel racing in Texas in November 1987, the Scharbauers set their sights on finding a farm property in their home state.

They had owned Oklahoma Stud in Purcell, Oklahoma, for many years and kept American Quarter Horse mares there, but “they decided to sell that place and move down to Texas,” Carson said.

Oklahoma Stud’s veterinarian, Dr. Barry Wood, had found a nice piece of property about an hour north of the DallasFort Worth area in Denton County. Located just outside the community of Pilot Point, the 393-acre property was acquired by the Scharbauers in 1989, and Valor Farm was born. If the farm gives off a Kentucky-esque feel in its layout, it’s due to being designed by Lexington-based architect Reese Reinhold, who has worked on projects for major Central Kentucky farms like Three Chimneys, Ashford Stud and Mill Ridge Farm.

“It was a big splash when they built Valor Farm,” Carson said. “It was a big vote of confidence for racing in Texas for them to open a place this big, and really, right now, it’s a big commitment for Doug to make.”

After Clarence Scharbauer died in 2014, the farm was placed on the market, but Douglas decided he couldn’t let the place go and acquired the farm outright from his father’s estate.

Scharbauer admitted that “in this business, you don’t know always what to expect,” but considered himself fortunate to have Carson to rely on for his expertise and advice.

“He is extremely knowledgeable about the business, about the horses. I respect him deeply.”

Sword Trick and Tastefullyxcessive, both by Valor Farm stallion Early Flyer. Hadif Cat’s dam, Cats Meow, is the dam of stakes winner Screen Pass (by Hadif) and the stakes-placed Grey Cat (by Wimbledon) and Cats Legend (by Gold Legend), who produced the stakes-winning Wimbledon filly Circustown Rose.

Thegirlinthatsong, who, like her granddam, won the La Canada Stakes, is out of the winning Dixieland Band mare Belle of the Band, who also produced the stakes-placed winners My Golden Belle (by My Golden Song) and Jet Over (by Jet Phone).

Another Alysbelle daughter who has been a top producer for Valor Farm is Better Than Most. By Elusive Quality, Better Than Most is the dam of Texas-bred champions and multiple stakes winners Worldventurer and W V Jetsetter and, most recently, the 2016 Texas Champion 3-Year-Old Filly More Than Most, who races for Douglas Scharbauer. Better Than Most’s stakes-placed daughter Nothinbettertodo is the dam of 2017 Texas Stallion Stakes winner Howboutthiscowgirl (by My Golden Song).

A mare that Clarence Scharbauer had high hopes for as a yearling purchase ended up not panning out on the racetrack

but more than made up for it as a broodmare. Coyote Cafe, a $600,000 Keeneland September purchase, cobbled together three starts over two years and zero placings. But she has gone on to produce nine winners from 10 starters with total earnings of more than $1.5 million.

Leading that list are two hard-knocking homebred geldings, the full brothers Gold Coyote and Coyote Legend (by Gold Legend). Both started 34 times. Coyote Legend won 18 times, 10 in stakes, and earned $717,467, while Gold Coyote brought home 15 victories, nine in stakes, and earned $517,294. The two managed to dominate the Texas-bred stakes circuit for several years.

Now, the farm is looking to Coyote Cafe’s daughters and granddaughters to help carry the family name forward.

Homebred Santacafe, out of Coyote Cafe’s daughter Cafe Pacific, broke her maiden in her first outing at two and went on to collect three second-place stakes finishes before being retired at three. Her first foal, a colt by My Golden Song, is a yearling in 2018.

Coyote Cafe still has runners on the track as well, including her 3-year-old filly, Pink Adobe (by Crossbow).

The layout and architecture at Valor Farm resembles a major Kentucky operation for good reason, as it was designed by Lexington-based architect Reese Reinhold.

Judy L. Marchman

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 49

Carson pointed out that a number of Coyote Cafe’s descendants are named, like she is, for restaurants—Cafe Pacific, Pink Adobe, Santacafe, Joe T Garcia’s.

“When you hear the name, you know what family they’re from,” he added.

Denis Blake

A member of the Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Hadif sired three stakes winners from his first crop of only 18 foals, including Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Hadif One. A perennially leading sire in Texas, he sired a total of 22 stakes winners, including other Texas champions Louetta and Final Trick (both champion 2-year-old fillies) and Fleeta Dif B U I L D I N G A S TA L L I O N R O S T E R (champion older mare), and career progeny earnings of more Finding the right stallion to add to a farm’s roster can be than $12.5 million. He died at Valor Farm in 2010 at age 24 a challenge for any farm but especially in a regional market. after being pensioned in 2006.

Part of the challenge is finding a potential stallion that has My Golden Song essentially grabbed the baton from Hadif, not gotten priced out of the market, and Valor Farm has been but he hasn’t made it easy on himself or the stallion crew in no exception when it the process. Thanks to comes to landing what some bad luck, or will hopefully develop perhaps being a bit into a top prospect. accident prone, the son “It’s hard to get your of Unbridled’s Song money back here,” has missed two full Carson said. “We’ve breeding seasons and had to do the best we parts of two others. could at times.”

Most recently he Valor Farm’s first missed the 2017 season major sire, Hadif, due to a ruptured deep certainly did work out, flexor tendon on his helping establish the left hind leg and spent farm’s reputation in the time at Texas A&M region. recuperating. Carson and “Hadif was one that crew are keeping I had my target on for fingers crossed for an several years. I wasn’t uneventful 2018 season. even out here [in Texas] Still, with only yet but bought him 163 foals of racing for the Scharbauers,” age, he’s done quite Carson said. well for himself. As of Bred in Kentucky mid-January, he has

by Mill Ridge Farm, been represented by Hadif began his racing 71 winners from 96 career in England at two, starters and 12 stakes winning the Group winners with progeny 3 Cornwallis Stakes earnings of $4.9 million at Ascot. He was TTA board member John Adger (left) presents Ken Carson (center) and (averaging more than returned to the States Douglas Scharbauer with one of the many awards earned by Valor Farm $51,000 per starter). over the years. at four and won the “He sired two Phoenix Breeders’ graded stakes winners Cup Handicap at in a crop of 21 foals.

Keeneland. He added the Nearctic Stakes at five as well as There are horses in Kentucky that don’t do that,” Carson placings in several graded stakes. said. The two horses he was referring to are, of course, the Carson had purchased the son of Clever Trick late in the aforementioned fillies Thegirlinthatsong and Fiftyshadesofgold. horse’s racing career. The Scharbauers still owned Oklahoma Valor Farm has another big gun in Too Much Bling, the Stud at the time, and Hadif stood there for a season before leading sire in Texas for the past five years. The stallion is being transferred to the newly opened Valor Farm. represented by 141 winners from 250 foals of racing age with “Hadif was great,” Carson recalled. “He could breed any progeny earnings of more than $10 million (averaging $60,000 kind of mare and he got the same looking foal every time— per starter). He has sired 26 stakes winners, including Puerto chocolate brown with a little white on a back pastern. And he Rican champion Too Much Tip and multiple stakes winner was a laid-back stallion, but he put a fiery engine in them.”

Texas Bling.

50 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Judy L. Marchman

Congaree, a five-time Grade 1 winner who earned more than $3.2 million on the track, is one of the nine stallions on Valor’s 2018 roster.

Too Much Bling came to Valor Farm along with fellow Lane’s End Texas stallions Grasshopper and Congaree in 2016 when that farm was sold.

“It’s a nice bunch of horses, it really is,” Carson said, adding that it was important to keep the Lane’s End stallions in Texas.

Not long after, Valor Farm added Stonesider to the roster from New York. Like Congaree, Stonesider is owned by Bob and Janice McNair; the couple own Too Much Bling in partnership with Douglas Scharbauer.

“John Adger [the McNairs’ longtime bloodstock advisor] put all the McNair horses together for us,” Carson said. “He called and asked if we could take Stonesider as well, and he got Bradester here, too.”

A son of Lion Heart, Bradester entered stud in 2017 at Valor Farm after retiring with a record of 10 wins in 26 starts and earnings of $1,196,332. Owned by Joseph Sutton, Bradester won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs in 2016 as well as six other career stakes victories including the Grade 2 Monmouth Cup Stakes twice.

For the 2017 breeding season, 200-plus mares visited the farm’s roster of stallions, and to kick off the season, the farm hosted an open house and stallion show with more than 150 people attending. Near the end of the year, Valor Farm added a new face, the Candy Ride (Arg) colt Eagle. Owned by William S. Farish, Eagle won the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes at Keeneland in 2016 among his seven wins in 24 starts.

With a nice mix of established, proven sires and new blood in the stallion barn, Valor Farm seems set to continue pulling in mare owners from across the Southwest looking for good quality and value.

“We’ve been having resurgent years with new people getting in recently,” Carson said. “This past season we drew from Oklahoma, New Mexico, Nebraska, Louisiana, California— we’ve drawn from a larger pool than just Texas for mare owners.”

MORE THAN A LEGACY What has been the recipe for Valor Farm’s success?

Carson didn’t hesitate: “Clarence and Dorothy, and now Douglas, let us do everything right—the best feed, the best hay.

It’s a game of inches, of microns, but if you take care of all those tiny details, the rest of it falls together.”

It’s a challenge Douglas Scharbauer couldn’t be more delighted to take on. Valor Farm has become more than preserving his parents’ legacy. He’s now fulfilling his own dream.

“I can’t tell you how glad I am to own Valor Farm,” he said.

“I walk around there and look at the mares and foals … it’s so peaceful. There’s nothing like it.” H Judy L. Marchman is an Austin-based freelance writer and editor, and serves as copy editor for American Racehorse. She worked for BloodHorse in Lexington, Kentucky, for 15 years before returning to Texas. You can follow her on Twitter @judy_writes.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 51

RIVER OAKS FARMS It Pays to Breed in Oklahoma!

AMERICAN LION

CHITOZ

Tiznow – Storm Tide,

by Storm Cat

Forest Wildcat – Wichitoz,

by Affirmed

Sire of G3-placed SW EXTINCT CHARM in his first crop!

The sire of stakes winners in Minnesota and Oklahoma!

2018 Fee: $1,000

2018 Fee: $1,500

DRAMEDY

EXCAPER

Distorted Humor – She’s a Winner, by A.P. Indy

Exchange Rate – Ada Ruckus, by Bold Ruckus

A Grade 2 winner with a brilliant pedigree comes to Oklahoma!

A G2-winning and G1-placed runner on the turf!

2018 Fee: $2,500

2018 Fee: $1,500

River Oaks Farms Inc. all fees are stands and nurses

3216 U.S. Hwy. 177 North • Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086 Inquiries to Lori or Francisco Bravo Ranch: (580) 622-4412 • Francisco: (940) 367-4457 • Lori: (940) 367-4380 Fax: (580) 622-4411 • Email: riveroaksfarms@aol.com

www.riveroaksthoroughbreds.com 52 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Accredited Oklahoma Stallions • Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes

RIVER OAKS FARMS It Pays to Breed in Oklahoma!

FOREIGN POLICY Danzig – Strategic Maneuver,

by Cryptoclearance

LATENT HEAT

Maria’s Mon – True Flare, by Capote

Impeccable bloodlines and a proven stakes sire!

A perennial leading sire in Oklahoma!

2018 Fee: $1,250

2018 Fee: $1,500

READ THE FOOTNOTES

WILBURN

Smoke Glacken – Baydon Belle,

by Al Nasr (Fr)

Bernardini – Moonlight Sonata, by Carson City

A proven sire of graded stakes performers!

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2018 Fee: $1,000

2018 Fee: $3,500

River Oaks Farms Inc. all fees are stands and nurses

3216 U.S. Hwy. 177 North • Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086 Inquiries to Lori or Francisco Bravo Ranch: (580) 622-4412 • Francisco: (940) 367-4457 • Lori: (940) 367-4380 Fax: (580) 622-4411 • Email: riveroaksfarms@aol.com

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Accredited Oklahoma Stallions • Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

53

OKLAHOMA STALLION STAKES STALLION NOMINATION FORM BREEDING SEASON OF 2018 FOALS OF 2019--RACE YEAR OF 2022

All progeny of the nominated stallions are eligible for the Stallion Stakes. This one time STALLION nomination fee provides eligibility for ALL FOALS sired by the nominated STALLION. THE STALLION MUST BE AN ACCREDITED OKLAHOMA BRED To receive Oklahoma Bred monies, the nominated foal must be an accredited Oklahoma Bred.

NO PAYMENTS ACCEPTED AFTER APRIL 15, 2018

ALL PROGENY OF THE NOMINATED STALLIONS are eligible for STALLION STAKES 2022 The Oklahoma Stallion Stakes will consists of two races: 2022– Remington Park – 3 year old colts and geldings EST: PURSE $50,000 2022– Remington Park – 3 year old fillies EST: PURSE $50,000 NOMINATION PAYMENT SCHEDULE: FEBUARY 1, 2018……………………………..$1,000 FEE AFTER FEBUARY 1, 2018 ……………………………..$1,500 NO PAYMENTS ACCEPTED AFTER APRIL 15, 2018 A STALLION BONUS AWARD WILL BE GIVEN FOR EACH RACE All monies received from stallion nomination fees will be divided equally for each race and will be split THE FOLLOWING: EXAMPLE:

40 Nominated Stallions=$40,000 2022 Remington Park 3 year old colts and geldings $20,000 Stallion Bonus 1ST 60%=$12,000 2ND 20%=$4,000 3RD 11%=$2,200 5TH 3%=$600 4TH 6%=$1,200 2022 Remington Park 3 year old fillies $20,000 Stallion Bonus 1ST-60%=$12,000 2ND 20%=$4,000 3RD 11%=$2,200 5TH 3%=$600 4TH 6%=$1,200

THE MORE PARTICIPATION OF STALLIONS, THE MORE STALLION BONUS!!!

REMEMBER ALL PROGENY ARE ELIGIBLE

STALLION NAME:____________________________________

NOMINATOR:______________________________ EMAIL:______________________________________ ADDRESS:________________________________ CITY:_____________________ STATE______________ZIP_________________ PHONE:__________________ Nominations and all stake races are subject to the rules and regulations of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission. The undersigned represents he/she has read the 2014 Oklahoma Horse Racing Rules and Regulations. The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma reserves the right to postpone/change the conditions of all or any part of the OSS program without liability.

SIGNATURE:___________________________________

DATE:__________________________________

PLEASE RETURN FORM TO: THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION of OKLAHOMA ONE REMINGTON PLACE:, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK 73111

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY

____________________CHECK #_______________DATE RECEIVED _____________

in 2018, Over $4 Million will be paid to Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders in Oklahoma

THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA ONE REMINGTON PLACE . OKC, OK 73111 405.427.8753 . WWW.TRAORACING.COM

4MILLIONREASONS

breed . race . win

New Kids on the Block

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STALLION ROSTERS AROUND THE REGION CONTINUE TO EXPAND AS BREEDING SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

BY DENIS BLAKE

Ackerley Images

The most exciting time for any breeder is the moment a new foal is born, at least up until the point when that horse hits the racetrack and hopefully finds the winner’s circle. But before all that, it starts with a daunting decision that has been challenging horsemen for centuries: finding the perfect stallion to match with a mare.

As breeding programs in states not named Kentucky have grown and flourished, the quality and variety of stallions on offer to breeders looking to participate in those state-bred programs (and beyond) have improved greatly. And as always, there are new shooters every year to add to the existing stable of stallion options. A flurry of stallions were added in the states covered by American Racehorse for the 2018 breeding season with fresh faces coming to Texas, Indiana and Louisiana. Following is a look at selected stallions announced after the publication of the Fall 2017 and Stallion Register issues.

56 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

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Y

TEXAS

Eagle, a graded stakes-winning and Grade 1-placed runner, has been retired and will enter stud at Douglas Scharbauer’s Valor Farm in Pilot Point.

The 6-year-old son of Candy Ride (Arg) out of Sea Gull, by Mineshaft, was bred and raced by William S. Farish. He won twice at two and placed twice in four starts, including a third in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). Eagle won his first stakes at three, then at four, won or placed in five graded stakes. He followed a victory in the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland with second-place finishes in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) and the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1).

Texas’ breeding community faces a lot of challenges, being surrounded by gaming states, but Valor Farm General Manager Ken Carson said breeders have been resilient.

“The racetracks have been willing to sit at the table and figure out a way to keep it all going,” Carson said in a BloodHorse.com article. “For Will to send this horse to us is a huge indicator of faith in Texas racing.”

Eagle will stand for $5,000.

Broughton Farm in Odessa has announced the addition of Live in Joy to its stallion roster. The son of Kitten’s Joy will stand his first season for an introductory fee of $1,500, with a $500 discount to Texas-bred mares and a limited book.

Live in Joy enjoyed a long and productive career on the track with a record of 12 wins, eight seconds and eight thirds in 56 starts, while earning $329,916 and racing through age nine. He kicked off his career with a victory at first asking as a 2-year-old going five furlongs on the turf at Arlington Park, and then as a 3-year-old he captured the $100,000 Capital City Stakes at one mile on the turf at Penn National. After a short three-race campaign at four, he went on to win nine more races at ages five through eight.

Live in Joy joins Shermanesque, a graded stakes-placed son of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Fusaichi Pegasus, at Broughton Farm.

The farm also announced that 10 percent of any stud fees paid will be set aside in a trust fund for any foal bred on the farm to cover aftercare and retirement in the future.

Y

LOUISIANA Astrology, one of the nation’s leading first- and second-crop stallions, has been relocated to Acadiana Equine @ Copper Crowne in Opelousas. The son of Horse of the Year A.P. Indy will stand for $4,500.

From his first two crops to race, Astrology has sired the earners of $2.1 million, including Arella Rockstar, the winner of last year’s Grade 3 Matron Stakes at Belmont Park who recently sold for $290,000 at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Astrology ranked

among the top 15 sires nationally by progeny earnings for first- and second-crop sires in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

On the track, Astrology won or placed in six stakes—including five graded races—with a victory in the Iroquois Stakes (G3) during a five-race 2-year-old campaign in which he never finished off the board. As a 3-year-old, he placed in three consecutive graded stakes with a second in both the Sunland Derby (G3) and Jerome Stakes (G2) and then a game third-place finish in the Preakness Stakes (G1) behind Shackleford and Animal Kingdom.

Astrology becomes the second stallion standing at Acadiana Equine @ Copper Crowne, joining five-time Grade 1 winner Court Vision, who topped all Louisiana stallions by progeny earnings in 2017 at nearly $2.8 million.

“We think Astrology is an up-and-coming sire who checks all the boxes as a son of A.P. Indy with an accomplished race record as a top 2-year-old and a Classic-placed 3-year-old and offspring that have found success on the track and in the sales ring,” said stallion manager David Tillson.

Red River Farms in Coushatta announced three new stallions for 2018 with El Deal, Mo Tom and Takeover Target making their debuts at stud.

El Deal, a son of Munnings, won nine of his 17 career starts and banked more than $575,000. El Deal began his racing career with four straight victories starting as a 2-year-old at Aqueduct and finishing the streak with a win in the Gold Fever Stakes at Belmont Park. After placing in two stakes at four, he had a tremendous 5-year-old campaign, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top sprinters. His last four starts included three stakes wins, highlighted by the Grade 1 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga with a 112 Beyer Speed Figure and a runner-up finish in the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes at Belmont.

El Deal will stand for $2,500.

Mo Tom, by leading sire Uncle Mo, was a stakes-winning 2-yearold who placed in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. As a 3-year-old, he won the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes and finished third in the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds before finishing off the board in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby. He went on to win the $500,000 Ohio Derby at Thistledown by three lengths and later retired with career earnings of $665,356.

Mo Tom will command a fee of $2,000.

The Harlan’s Holiday son Takeover Target earned $826,685 during his career with victories in the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame Stakes, Grade 2 Dixie Stakes and Grade 3 Hill Prince Stakes, all on the turf. Although his success came on the turf, Takeover Target also has a strong dirt pedigree as his sire won the Grade 1 Florida Derby, Blue Grass Stakes and Donn Handicap on the main track, and his dam, the Empire Maker mare Vanquished, also did her best running on the dirt.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 57

2018 FEE: $2,000

2018 FEE: $3,000

Gilded Time – Bistra, by Classic Go Go

Candy Ride (Arg) – Sea Gull, by Mineshaft

2018 FEE: $5,000

William Miller

2018 FEE: $2,500

Dixie Union – Grass Skirt,

by Mr. Prospector

William Miller

2018 FEE: $3,500

Unbridled’s Song – Golden Par, by Gold Meridian 2018 FEE: $5,000

Giant’s Causeway – Added Gold, by Gilded Time

Bee Silva

2018 FEE: $2,000

Rubiano – Rose Colored Lady,

by Formal Dinner 2018 FEE: $6,500

Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David 76258 Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 om/valor.farm www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.c

Billy Miller

58 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Bernardini – Forest Heiress,

by Forest Wildcat

Arazi – Mari’s Sheba,

by Mari’s Book

Coady Photography

R Star Stallions in Anderson, Indiana, has announced the addition of two multiple graded stakes-winning stallions: Prayer for Relief and Csaba.

Prayer for Relief, who earned more than $2.2 million, will stand for $3,000. The son of Jump Start broke his maiden at two and placed in the Real Quiet Stakes at Hollywood Park before emerging as one of the nation’s top 3-year-olds with consecutive victories in the Grade 3 Iowa Derby, Grade 2 West Virginia Derby and Grade 2 Super Derby.

Prayer for Relief, out of the multiple stakes-winning and stakesproducing mare Sparklin Lil, had a long and productive career as a top handicap horse while racing almost exclusively in graded stakes company. All told, he won six stakes, including the Grade 2 Super Derby and Grade 3 Prairie Meadows Cornhusker, and he placed in 15 others—nearly all of them graded—including the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes, Grade 2 Suburban Stakes and Grade 2 Strub Stakes. He made his final start in the 2017 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (G1) as a 9-year-old and finished with a career record of 46-8-6-10 and earnings of $2,277,948.

“Very few horses in recent memory displayed the combination of durability, longevity and talent that Prayer for Relief did, so we are so pleased to have him in Indiana,” said Leigh Ann Hopper, who with her husband, Kerry, operates R Star Stallions. “The quality of stallions in Indiana has been increasing every year as the Indiana program has grown, and we think Prayer for Relief helps continue that trend as one of the highest earners, if not the highest earner, to stand in the state.”

2018 FEE: $3,500

William Miller

INDIANA

Lion Heart – Grandestofall,

by Grand Slam

LION REGISTER O R S E • 2 0 1 8 S TA L AMERICAN RACEH

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VALOR FARM

2018 BRADESTER Csaba, one of the top dirt runners by leading stallion and champiSTALLION ROSTER on turf horse Kitten’s Joy, will stand for $2,000 with dynamic most considerations Offering the stallion lineup in the region for stakes mares and stakes producers.

CROSSBOW CONGAREE Bred by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey out of the War Chant mare High Chant, Csaba won 13 of his 36 career starts with nine EAGLE FLYER as a stakes wins and earnings of $682,440. A two-timeEARLY winner 2-year-old, Csaba notched four stakes wins during his 3-year-old GRASSHOPPER season by a combined total of more than 33 lengths, including a MY GOLDEN SONG 14-length win in the Tropical Park Derby and a 7 ¼-length score in STONESIDER the Grade 3 Fred W. Hooper Handicap, both on the dirt at Calder Race Course.

TOO MUCH BLING He kicked off his 4-year-old season with a win in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope Stakes on the dirt at Gulfstream Park, and then ended his fourwin campaign with a repeat win in the Grade 3 Fred W. Hooper Handicap. At five, Csaba added two more stakes wins.

While nearly all of his races were on the main track, he proved he could also run on the turf with a third in the Grade 3 Palm Beach Stakes on the Gulfstream grass.

Csaba is a full brother to Grade 1-placed Kitten’s Queen, an earner of $378,444.

“We think Csaba is unique because he was so versatile, winning from five furlongs to a mile and an eighth. Csaba excelled on dirt while also having a remarkable turf pedigree as a son of Kitten’s Joy,” Hopper said. “We were also attracted to the fact that he made at least 10 starts with no less than two stakes wins each year on the track from ages three through his retirement at age five.”

The R Star roster also includes Deputy Storm, Taprize and What Now. Breakway Farm in Dillsboro, Indiana, announced the arrival of River Dancer, a graded stakes performer by Pioneerof the Nile.

“We are thrilled to stand the first son of Pioneerof the Nile in Indiana,” said the farm in a news release. “Not only is this handsome horse impeccably bred, but he was a very talented racehorse who was highly weighted on the Experimental Free Handicap.”

River Dancer won his first start at two at Belmont Park, covering six furlongs on the turf in 1:09.81. His second start, the Grade 2 With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga Race Course, marked his first attempt at two turns. Shuffled back after the start, he fought his way through traffic to finish a game second.

His sire, Pioneerof the Nile, was a near-champion racehorse and has become one of America’s leading stallions as the sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah.

“River Dancer offers Indiana breeders a unique combination of tremendous sire power, unquestioned racing class and speed, and outstanding conformation,” stated the farm.

River Dancer stands at private treaty, with concessions for stakes-winning and -producing mares. H

Bee Silva

Takeover Target will stand for $2,000.

Calumet Farm’s Real Solution, a multiple Grade 1 winner and millionaire by Kitten’s Joy, will stand at Dex Comardelle’s Blue Star Racing stallion facility in Scott. The stallion will stand for Comardelle on lease from Calumet.

“We’re thrilled with the opportunity to stand Real Solution here in Louisiana,” Comardelle said. “We believe he can be the type of stallion to set the foundation of what we want to build here at Blue Star and offer Louisiana breeders a tremendous opportunity being one of Kitten’s Joy’s most accomplished sons at stud. We’re honored to work with Calumet Farm as they have been one of the most iconic organizations in horse racing over the years.”

Located just outside Lafayette, Blue Star Racing designed a brand new 10,000-square-foot barn with 24 stalls, including numerous foaling stalls. Blue Star is located in the heart of the Louisiana Thoroughbred community.

Real Solution will stand for a fee of $5,000.

Bee Silva

.COM

To view more stallions from around the Midwest, Southwest 2018 and Midsouth, visit the online version of the American Racehorse Stallion Register at www.americanracehorse.com.

INDUSTRY IN THE COVERING THE THOROUGH BRED MIDSOUTH SOUTHWES T, MIDWEST AND

William Miller Coady Photography Billy Miller

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Knorpp Bloodstock Insurance Agency LC Do you have new foals or are you planning to buy 2-year-olds or yearlings at auction?

DON’T FORGET TO INSURE THEM! • Livestock Mortality • Care, Custody and Control for Breeding/ Boarding Farms and Horse Trailers • Equine Related General Liability & Workers’ Compensation • Farm and Ranch Owners • All Commercial Lines • Personal Lines (Auto and Homeowners’ and Scheduled Articles, Liability and Umbrella)

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60 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

ENGLISH CHANNEL’S FASTEST SON ON DIRT AT STUD!

k

BLUESKIESNRAINBOWS

ENGLISH CHANNEL – CHO CHO SAN, BY DEPUTY MINISTER ENGLISH CHANNEL’S fastest son on dirt at stud!

Multiple Grade 2 winner of $670,000+ with wire-to-wire victories in the Grade 2 San Pasqual, Grade 2 Swaps (posting a 103 Beyer) and Grade 3 Native Diver.

Finished second in the Grade 2 Breeders’ Cup Marathon and third by a half-length to I’LL HAVE ANOTHER and CREATIVE CAUSE in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby.

His sire, ENGLISH CHANNEL, has lifetime progeny earnings of more than $32 million and is one of the top 10 turf sires in the world.

On the track, Champion ENGLISH CHANNEL won six Grade 1 races, including the Breeders’ Cup Turf, and earned $5.3 million.

Out of a daughter of leading sire DEPUTY MINISTER and G2SW DANCE COLONY, inbred to NORTHERN DANCER three times.

An imposing chestnut stallion of 16’ 2 1/2” who measures to near biomechanical perfection.

Bred on the same SMART STRIKE/DEPUTY MINISTER cross as CURLIN!

Vassar Photography

BLUESKIESNRAINBOW’S full brother CHOO CHOO just won the $100,000 California Derby for trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and breeder/owner Calumet Farm.

Watch for him on the road to the Kentucky Derby!

MIDWEST EQUINE & VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Inquiries to Roger D. Beam, DVM 5284 South 150 West • Trafalgar, Indiana 46181 Phone: (317) 878-7713 • Cell (317) 506-1084 Email: rogerbeamdvm@aol.com • Website: www.mwevh.com • www.blueskiesnrainbows.com AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 61 Nominated to the Indiana-bred Program and Breeders’ Cup

Moonshine Mullin Albert the Great – Mullen Road, by Distant View

Career Earnings $1,014,361

Winner of the Stephen Foster G1 and Alysheba G2 Beyer Ratings over 100 Defeated Eclipse Champion Will Take Charge two times Placed 2nd behind Stay Thirsty in the G2 Jim Dandy 1st Victoria Park Stakes, 2nd Display Stakes, 3rd Ontario Derby

Black type winner in USA and Canada Winner on Dirt, Synthetic and Turf

Arkansas’s Grade 1 and Grade 2 Winner Stands 16.2 hands tall and an attitude full of Class

1 foals are yearlings of 2018 st

2018 Fee: $1,000 LFG

Registered Arkansas Stallion

Randy Patterson, Owner

STANDING AT: Lake Hamilton Equine 731 Old Bear Road – Royal, AR

Inquiries to Sara Patterson, Stallion Manager, Cedar Run Farm, 989 Point Cedar Rd., Pearcy, AR 71964 Cell Phone: 620-770-6036 Email: spattersonmt@hotmail.com

62 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Street Strategy

Street Sense - Spoken Softly, by Notebook 6 Wins in 11 Starts Established the track record for the mile at Keeneland Winner of the Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn Park His 6 wins were by a combined total of 16 lengths 2015 Participant in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile He is full of class and has an outstanding pedigree Stands 17.1 hands tall Son of Street Sense who was the Champion 2yr old, classic winner of $4,383,200 Sire of 47 Black Type Winners, 1 Champion, 476 winners in 7 crops of racing age

1st foals will arrive in 2018

Registered Arkansas Stallion

2018 Fee: $1000 LFG Randy Patterson, Owner

Standing at:

Lake Hamilton Equine 731 Old Bear Rd – Royal, AR

Inquires to Sara Patterson, Stallion Manager, Cedar Run Farm, 989 Point Cedar Rd., Pearcy, AR Cell: 620-770-6036 Email: spattersonmt@hotmail.com AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

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Coglianese Photo/NYRA

EL DEAL Munnings – Spirit of Wailea, by Out of Place A son of leading stallion and top sprinter MUNNINGS, EL DEAL did what his sire could not and won a Grade 1 race with a dominating eight-length win in the $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap at Saratoga, coasting home to stop the timer at 1:09.26 for six furlongs and earning a 112 Beyer Speed Figure. He earned triple-digit Beyers in each of his final four starts!

EL DEAL had brilliant speed and got to the lead in every one of his 15 starts on the main track with a record of 15-9-3-0 and lifetime earnings of more than $575,000. In the Decathlon Stakes at Monmouth Park, he set blazing fractions of :21.26 and :43.12 and then won with ease clocking six furlongs in 1:08.59.

If you are looking for a stallion with speed and class, EL DEAL is the real deal!

2018 Fee: $2,500 Property of a Syndicate Red River Farms Inquiries to Jay Adcock P.O. Box 385 • Coushatta, Louisiana 71019 Cell: (318) 469-3900 • Phone: (318) 932-3207 or (318) 932-5884 • Fax (318) 932-9829 Email: redriverfm@gmail.com • Website: www.adcocksredriverfarm.com 64 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Dana Bonnell

Boo Dutton broke his maiden as a 5-year-old in a $5,000 claiming event at Michigan’s Mount Pleasant Meadows, and since that humble beginning the gelding has won nine more races and nearly $200,000 through age 10.

Michigan-bred Boo Dutton didn’t start until age five and became a stakes winner at nine, and he’s still going

By Joe Nevills

The story of the 2007 foal crop has largely entered its epilogue phase. Classic winners Super Saver, Lookin at Lucky and Drosselmeyer have ventured off to careers at stud. Wise Dan, Horse of the Year in 2012 and 2013, is living the pensioner’s life at trainer Charlie LoPresti’s farm, while 2011 Horse of the Year Havre de Grace is a broodmare after selling for a record $10 million at auction. Meanwhile, Game On Dude and Little Mike welcome visitors daily at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Kentucky.

On the other side of the ledger, Boo Dutton is doing the best running of his life. The 11-year-old gelding has long been a staple of Michigan’s handicap ranks and has only gotten better with age, winning the older male division of the Michigan Sire Stakes at Hazel Park for the second consecutive year on September 2. It was the highlight of a 2017 campaign in which he had compiled earnings of $51,251, the most he’s made in a single year.

Boo Dutton runs for owner Kala Crampton and trainer Jason Uelmen, who were married on October 7.

“He’s a pretty neat old horse,” Uelmen said. “He just keeps going and going.”

Even more unlikely than a decade-old runner hitting his stride this late in the game is the way the Michigan-bred got there.

Boo Dutton was bred by Edward Khoury’s Twin Cedars Farm and sired by perennial leading Michigan sire Equality out of the winning Cryptoclearance mare Inty Binty.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 65

Dana Bonnell

He was placed under the shedrow of trainer Ron Inman, who didn’t see much in the gangly, marble-gray youngster. Inty Binty’s first two foals never reached the track, and Boo Dutton seemed to be on his way to joining them.

Khoury still wanted to give Boo Dutton a chance to prove himself, so the gelding meandered toward the idea of racing, with no clear path to the starting gate. Exercise rider Crampton guided Boo Dutton through gallop after gallop during his 3-year-old season at Pinnacle Race Course and his 4-year-old season at Mount Pleasant Meadows. Both of those Michigan tracks are now closed, but Boo Dutton is still running.

His times weren’t fast, and his movement was as gawky as his frame, but Crampton felt she had more horse under her than met the eye.

The horse was five years old and still unraced in 2012, and Crampton decided that summer that if the current connections weren’t going to run him, she would. By that time, he’d been turned out to pasture.

“She told me, ‘This is a pretty nice horse. We should try and buy him,’ ” Uelmen said. “I said, ‘What do we want a 5-year-old maiden for?’ She said, ‘He’s big, he’s gray. If he’s not a racehorse, I could sell him as a hunter/jumper.’ ”

Boo Dutton’s trainer Jason Uelmen (green shirt) and owner Kala Crampton (in red) were married in October.

his second start. He spent the next year running at Presque Isle Downs, Mountaineer and Thistledown.

While every owner and trainer wants to send out a winner, the victory for Boo Dutton in August of his 5-year-old season was also important because many tracks prohibit maidens that are older than five from entering.

With less than half a year to graduate, it was not the time to experiment with class placing, and the chances of someone dropping a claim slip at Mount Pleasant on a horse just getting started at his age were slim. The strategy paid off.

“Jason said he was five years old and needed to break his maiden sooner than later,” Crampton said. “After he won easy going short at Mount Pleasant, we wanted to try a bigger track.

We wanted to up him in class and see how he did.”

Boo Dutton performed admirably against tougher foes and in his next 15 starts outside of his home state he recorded three wins, two seconds and three thirds.

MOVING UP THE LADDER

Joe Nevills

Boo Dutton, shown here in 2013 prior to his stakes debut at Mount Pleasant Meadows, would need three more years to get his first stakes victory.

A LATE STARTER Boo Dutton’s starting point was about as low on the class ladder as it gets: $5,000 maiden claimers at Mount Pleasant Meadows, a quiet, quirky four-furlong bullring on the Isabella County Fairgrounds where the average daily handle couldn’t buy a decent used car.

He finished third in his debut going 4 ½ furlongs, and then found his trademark late turn of foot at five furlongs to win 66 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

In the fall of 2013, the then 6-year-old returned to Mount Pleasant to test stakes company for the first time, finishing third in the older male division of the Michigan Sire Stakes.

When the state’s Thoroughbred racing returned to Hazel Park in 2014, Boo Dutton became more of a regular on the Michigan scene. Once a dual-purpose Thoroughbred and harness venue, the five-furlong oval near Detroit became Standardbred-exclusive for three decades before turning back to the under-saddle breeds.

Because many Michigan runners take the winters off, Hazel Park’s condition books typically start sprint-heavy, allowing horses to race into shape before tackling longer distances.

While he broke his maiden going short, Boo Dutton had proven himself to be best at a mile or longer.

He struggled early in the 2014 Hazel Park meet but found his wheelhouse when the track carded races at a mile and an eighth, winning an allowance prep for that year’s Sire Stakes,

Courtesy Hazel Park

then finishing second in the race itself. His 8-year-old season looked similar, with him coming up short by just three-quarters of a length in that year’s Sire Stakes.

In the meantime, Twin Cedars Farm began dispersing its stock, and Crampton and Uelmen bought Inty Indy, a half sister to Boo Dutton who was stakes-placed in 2014 and won the 2017 Moonbeam Stakes at Hazel Park at age six.

“There were several brothers and sisters out of that same mare that never ran, and they were being sold as pleasure horses when we bought them,” Uelmen said. “Those are the only two that ever went into training, and they’re both pretty good horses. I’d like to have the other ones too, that’s for sure.”

Boo Dutton’s 7-year-old campaign, combined with Inty Indy’s solid debut season, earned their dam, Inty Binty, Michigan’s broodmare of the year honors in 2014.

In his 49th career start and at age nine, Boo Dutton became a stakes winner in a division of the Michigan Sire Stakes at Hazel Park.

A STAKES WINNER AT AGE NINE Uelmen took it easy on the gelding during the 2016 season, cutting down his starts and keeping him strictly at Hazel Park.

Changing up the game plan also changed the results. Boo Dutton won his seasonal debut going six furlongs, barely enough ground to wind him up under normal circumstances, then ran second in the Michigan Breeders Governor’s Cup Stakes at the same distance.

Still, the Michigan-bred had one more mountain to climb at the end of the meet.

Boo Dutton had the inside post for the Michigan Sire Stakes and got waylaid coming out of the gate by the horse in the neighboring stall. Already far behind, jockey Eric Edwards rushed the gelding to keep touch with the pack, sending him wide to lead after the opening half-mile for just the second time in Boo Dutton’s then-49 starts.

Boo Dutton had every excuse to come up empty turning for home after such a hurried trip, but instead, he found more. He widened his advantage down the short stretch and prevailed by 3 ¼ lengths. At age nine, Boo Dutton was finally a stakes winner.

Crampton looks back on the race as her favorite in Boo Dutton’s long career.

“I was thinking, ‘Oh no, I hope he can keep going,’ ” she said. “Since we have been running him shorter, he does seem to want to take the lead now sooner than before.”

Boo Dutton came back even stronger at age 10 at Hazel Park, winning the Michigan Breeders Governor’s Cup, finishing a begrudging second in the Dowling Stakes, and then demolishing the Michigan Sire Stakes field by 6 ½ lengths under jockey Gilberto Santiago.

STILL GOING STRONG What is it about Boo Dutton that’s kept him on an upward trajectory at an age when most Thoroughbreds have no trajectory at all? Uelmen said part of it is taking care of the horse, and the other part is the horse taking care of himself.

“We’re easy on him, we take our time with him, but he trains hard in the morning,” he said. “You wouldn’t think a horse that trains that hard in the morning would last, but he’s very sound, no problems. It’s pretty neat.

“He’s big and he moves efficiently,” Uelmen continued.

“He doesn’t have a pretty way of moving, but he doesn’t get tired. That’s his main attribute. He’s not particularly fast; he just doesn’t get tired. He just keeps going.”

Crampton still gallops Boo Dutton in the mornings, the same as she did before the gelding ran under her colors.

Spending as much time together as they have, the two have formed a unique bond and working relationship that can sometimes be difficult for outsiders to crack.

“He has a great personality,” she said. “He really is like my pet. He does want to bite everyone except me. I can stand in front of his stall and pet him, but he will bite anyone else unless you have a treat.

“He wants to train his way and knows how he needs to train, which is just a happy gallop,” Crampton continued. “He is really smart and knows the difference between when I’m taking him out to gallop or work. He really is just a one-of-akind horse.”

When a horse hits his apex this late in his career, the question of how long it can last naturally looms over every start. Boo Dutton began his career later than most, but has raced 56 times, with 10 wins, 10 seconds and nine thirds with earnings of $194,219.

Conventional wisdom would suggest the best days on the track are behind a gelding who just turned 11, but the same conventional wisdom would say the same thing about him when his age hit double digits. Boo Dutton has made a career out of defying the calendar at every turn, and Uelmen and Crampton plan to enjoy their star runner as long as he’s up for it.

“I ran him lightly [in 2017],” Uelmen said. “We’re thinking if I run him lightly, maybe I can run him [in 2018], and as long as he’s physically in good shape and he’s enjoying what he’s doing.

He’s good right now; there’s no reason for him to stop.” H Joe Nevills is sales editor and Michigan correspondent for Daily Racing Form and a columnist for Arabian Finish Line. He is an Edmore, Michigan, native and resides in central Kentucky.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 67

TWO EXCITING STALLIONS IN TEXAS AND OKLAHOMA!

SATURDAY LAUNCH Coglianese Photos

Any Given Saturday – Ardum Relaunch,

by Cee’s Tizzy

SATURDAY LAUNCH was the first North American winner sired

by Grade 1-winning millionaire ANY GIVEN SATURDAY, and he proved to be a model of consistency and durability with earnings of $266,433 while making 59 starts. A winner of seven races on turf and dirt, SATURDAY LAUNCH finished a close fourth in the $500,000 Illinois Derby (G3).

UNBRIDLED SHERIFF

2018 Fee: $1,000 – Live Foal Standing at: Baker Ranch Inquiries to Steve Baker CR 2440 ● Iredell, Texas 76649 Phone: (972) 285-8878 ● Fax: (214) 217-1993 www.bakerranch.com

Dustin Orona Photography

Posse – Unbridled’s Legacy, by Unbridled

A stakes-placed son of five-time stakes winner POSSE, UNBRIDLED SHERIFF won four times and just missed winning the $100,000 Sunday Silence Stakes at Louisiana Downs, finishing third by a head and a nose. He proved his soundness by starting 10 times at age 5 and 12 times at age 6.

68 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018– 2018 Fee: $750

Live Foal

Standing at: Davidson Stables Inquiries to Colleen Davidson Route 1, Box 28 ● Grant, Oklahoma 74738 Phone: (972) 342-3963 www.bakerranch.com

d e s

e

at: ch er 49 93 m

CHECK OUT THE NEW AND IMPROVED TRAORACING.COM!

The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma is launching a more user-friendly website with more news and information that you need to know.

Visit our new website for information about: Oklahoma-bred Program, including Forms, Fees and Rules • Oklahoma Stallion Stakes Retired Thoroughbred Program • TRAO Membership, Committees and Events Benevolence and Resources for Horsemen • And Much More!

GO TO TRAORACING.COM TODAY! THE TRAO IS ALSO CONDUCTING AN ONLINE SURVEY REGARDING BREEDING IN OKLAHOMA AND THE OKLAHOMA-BRED PROGRAM. WE ENCOURAGE ALL HORSEMEN (NOT JUST BREEDERS) TO PROVIDE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE INDUSTRY IN OKLAHOMA AND HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO GROW IT!

Take the survey at surveymonkey.com/r/ZFYC673 THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA ONE REMINGTON PLACE • OKC, OK 73111 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 405.427.8753 • WWW.TRAORACING.COM

69

PEDIGREE POWER! Check out bloodlines available at Eureka Thoroughbred Farm…

MR. BESILU A.P. Indy – Balance, by Thunder Gulch By the incomparable racehorse and sire A.P. INDY out of the multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire BALANCE, who is a half sister to the great ZENYATTA 2018 Fee: $2,000

Mr. Besilu

THE HUNK Speightstown – Penniless Heiress, by Pentelicus A stakes winner by champion sprinter and leading sire SPEIGHTSTOWN and half brother to successful stallion WILDCAT HEIR 2018 Fee: $1,500

The Hunk

EXPECT A LOT Awesome Again – Tizamazing, by Cee’s Tizzy A son of Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner AWESOME AGAIN and a full brother to Preakness Stakes (G1) winner OXBOW and G3-placed SW AWESOME PATRIOT. Nearly the same pedigree as Grade 1 winner and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up PAYNTER. 2018 Fee: $1,000

Expect A Lot

Vanning a problem? Give us a call and we can help!

EUREKA THOROUGHBRED FARM All fees are stands and nurses Inquiries to Bill Tracy 6476 U.S. Highway 290 E. • Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Phone: (830) 688-1709 • Email: info@eurekathoroughbreds.com Website: www.eurekathoroughbreds.com Accredited Texas Stallions • Nominated to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series

QUANTITY AND QUALITY! Looking for a fast 2-year-old? A stayer? A turf runner?

No matter what kind of racehorse you are looking to get, we have the right stallion for you!

LATENT HEAT

Maria’s Mon – True Flare, by Capote The sire of 22 stakes horses, including five graded stakes performers 2018 Fee: $1,500

READ THE FOOTNOTES

Smoke Glacken – Baydon Belle, by Al Nasr (Fr) Sire of 18 stakes winners with progeny earnings of more than $17 million 2018 Fee: $1,000

EXCAPER

Exchange Rate – Ada Ruckus, by Bold Ruckus A Grade 2-winning and Grade 1-placed Breeders’ Cup runner on the turf 2018 Fee: $1,500

RIVER OAKS FARMS INC.

All fees are stands and nurses 3216 U.S. Hwy. 177 North • Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086 Inquiries to Lori or Francisco Bravo Ranch: (580) 622-4412 • Francisco: (940) 367-4457 • Lori: (940) 367-4380 • Fax: (580) 622-4411 Email: riveroaksfarms@aol.com • Website: www.riveroaksthoroughbreds.com Accredited Oklahoma Stallions Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes Stallions are property of Eureka Thoroughbred Farm

ask a vet

z

©flownaksala/stock.adobe.com

Getting Ready

to Foal

ADVANCE PLANNING IS IMPORTANT TO TACKLE FOALING COMPLICATIONS

By Megan Tracy Petty, DVM

72 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

F

oaling season is an exciting time for every horse owner. It is the culmination of a year of work for the mare and the beginning of years of work and adventure for the owner.

However, with foaling season comes the ever-present threat of foaling complications. Thankfully, these complications are more the exception than the rule, but 8 percent to 12 percent of foalings will have some sort of difficulty. This issue’s article will briefly highlight the lead-up to foaling and some of the potential complications, as well as what they mean for the mare, foal and you as the owner.

What to Expect When She’s Expecting The average gestational (pregnancy) length for a mare is 340 days. This can vary depending on the individual and can be as short as 330 days or as long as 360 days and result in a normal, healthy foal. For anything shorter than 330 days, the complications are abundant.

In an effort to ensure the health of the foal after birth, it is recommended to administer a full regimen of vaccinations to your mare four to six weeks prior to her expected due date. Typically, vaccinations for rabies, influenza/rhinopneumonitis and West Nile Virus will be given, as well as the combo vaccine for Venezuelan, Eastern and Western encephalitis and tetanus, although regional differences may exist. Additionally, if the mare has had a Caslick’s procedure (surgically closing the upper part of the vulva), it needs to be opened. Doing this in conjunction with the pre-foaling vaccines prevents overlooking this important step. Also, if the mare needs to be relocated to a different facility for foaling, that should take place at this time.

Signs of the approaching big event can become apparent as far out as six weeks or as close as the day of foaling. Some signs of impending birth include mammary gland development two to six weeks prior, relaxation of the vulva and the muscles of the rump one to three weeks out, “waxing” of the nipples (colostrum on the ends of teats) 48 to 72 hours prior, elongation and swelling of the vulva in the 24 hours prior and possibly dripping of milk from the udder. If the mare is dripping or streaming milk prior to foaling, bring this to the attention of your veterinarian. Often this changes post-foaling management of the foal.

Labor is typically broken down into three stages, aptly named stages 1 through 3. Stage 1 labor can be quite subtle as this is when the mare and foal are both getting ready for stage 2 or active labor.

In stage 1, the mare will often be restless. The foal is doing some serious rearranging in utero and the mare may appear uncomfortable or colicky. She may sweat, get up and down frequently and seem out of sorts. This stage is the longest, typically lasting anywhere from one to four hours.

Stage 2 labor is by far the shortest of the stages, generally lasting from five to 20 minutes. It encompasses the actual birth of the foal

but begins with the mare’s water breaking, which is the rupture of the outer chorioallantoic membrane or sac at the cervical star. The mare will begin to actively strain and push; the amnion (inner sac) will then be visible at the vulva. The front feet and the nose present first, followed by the rest of the foal. And it’s just that easy, right? Sometimes. This is the stage of labor where complications typically arise in the form of difficult or abnormal birth, also defined as dystocia.

Stage 3 labor involves the passage of the placenta after the foal is born and can take as long as three hours. The placenta is considered retained after three hours, and then that becomes an emergency situation for the mare.

When Things Don’t Go as Expected As mentioned, foaling complications or dystocias occur in approximately 8 percent to 12 percent of all foalings. They most commonly occur with a maiden mare delivering her first foal but can occur with any mare, any time.

There are three primary goals with any dystocia: save the life of the mare, save the life of the foal and preserve the fertility of the mare for the future. Time is of the essence to achieve these three goals as statistics show that each 10-minute increase in labor time (stage 2) beyond 30 minutes results in a 10 percent increase in the risk of death of the foal. You should have an emergency plan in place for foaling season and that includes a conversation—before your mare is in labor—between you as the mare owner, the foaling staff and the veterinarian.

The most prevalent cause of dystocia is an abnormal alignment of the foal in the birth canal. Either a malposition or malalignment will prevent normal passage of the foal, thus requiring intervention.

Dystocias are often classified into groupings of mild, moderate or severe based on the threat to both the fetus and the mare and difficulty in correcting. Mild dystocias can often be corrected by the foaling attendant, if properly trained, while moderate to severe dystocias usually require more skilled intervention and more hands to get the job done.

Mild causes of dystocia include elbow lock, upside-down foal, backwards foal (hind feet present), uterine inertia (lack of contraction) and “red bag” (premature placental separation) delivery.

Moderate dystocias are often flexural in nature such as front legs flexed at knee and neck flexed ventrally. Presentation of the muzzle below the brim of the pelvis and hip lock are considered moderate as well. The more severe causes, such as front legs flexed at shoulder, neck flexed to side, muzzle not reachable, breech or rump first position, transverse position and twins entering birth canal simultaneously, can become disastrous for both the mare and foal or foals quickly and are often extremely difficult to correct.

When should we be suspicious of a problem? Since delivery of AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 73

74 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

pasture 60 to 90 days before the expected foaling date helps prevent fescue-induced premature placental separation.

Foaling season is certainly the most wonderful time of the year, yet

©kellyvandellen/stock.adobe.com

the foal should be completed within about 20 minutes, any lack of progress toward delivery in that time frame should raise a red flag.

Occasionally, delivery will be unfolding quite normally and all at once progress will stop, or the mare can experience acute pain, which is abnormal, and that should also be a cause for concern. The most evident indicator of a dystocia is if something besides the front feet and nose are presenting. In reality, even if you have no idea what the problem is but know things aren’t going as planned, you should call your veterinarian. Veterinary intervention is almost always required for severe dystocias, and depending on the skill level of the foaling team, even for some mild and moderate causes.

Veterinary intervention typically becomes necessary when greater manipulation of the fetus is required.

Your veterinarian likely will sedate the mare and give an epidural injection to prevent the mare from straining. This allows for a longer window of time to manipulate the fetus without the mare pushing against the veterinarian. Occasionally, the dystocia is so complicated that surgical intervention is required to achieve the goals of a live mare, live foal and future breeding soundness.

Most dystocias occur despite our best efforts and are not preventable. Red bag deliveries, however, are one of the causes that we may be able to prevent, or at least be prepared for ahead of time. While it is not common—only 1 percent to 2 percent of all births result in a red bag—this placental separation accounts for 5 percent to 10 percent of all causes of abortion, stillbirth and perinatal death. Instead of the placental membranes rupturing in order (as listed under Stage 2 labor) and essentially emerging inside-out, the entire placenta breaks loose from its uterine attachments and delivers right-side out and intact with the cervical star visible rather than ruptured. If a red bag, so-called for its brick red and velvety appearance, is encountered during foaling, the placenta should be opened with a sharp knife or scissors immediately. This premature detachment rapidly decreases the oxygen supply to the fetus and can result in a dead foal if not corrected.

Premature placental separation occurs secondary to placental infections, fescue toxicity or stress. Chronic placental separation can be present during gestation, but it can also occur as an acute situation during labor. Having an ultrasound exam at the fifth month of gestation is a good screening test to look for the indicators of impending placentitis, and regular ultrasound examinations may be required for at-risk mares. Additionally, moving pregnant mares off of fescue

TO ENSURE A HEALTHY FOAL AND MARE, TALK TO YOUR VET— BEFORE YOUR MARE IS IN LABOR— ABOUT PUT TING AN EMERGENCY PLAN IN PLACE FOR FOALING SEASON.

it can have its problems, even beyond the normal sleep deprivation for us humans. Being prepared for the worst and knowing what is normal versus abnormal can save not only your mare and her arriving foal but future foals as well. While we cannot prevent most causes of dystocia, early intervention is paramount to increase the chances of a successful outcome in the midst of disaster. Remember, it is always the right decision to call your veterinarian for foaling complications, even if you are not sure if what you have encountered is normal or not. Your veterinarian should be an integral part of your foaling season plan and is there to be a source of information and support during this exciting time. H Megan Tracy Petty, DVM, is an associate equine veterinarian at Tularosa Equine Clinic in Tularosa, New Mexico. A born and raised Texan, Petty is a member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, serving as current president of the Paddock Foundation and board member of the Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund. She is passionate about horse owner education, racehorses and spending time with her husband, Bryan, and their dogs Maverick and Ray on Creekside Farm, their work-inprogress horse farm in Bent, New Mexico.

JJ Zamaiko Photography

MO TOM Uncle Mo – Caroni, by Rubiano MO TOM is one of the top sons of UNCLE MO, who stands for a $125,000 fee as one of the most promising young sires in the country!

MO TOM was an exceptional 2-year-old, winning at first asking going six furlongs and then going on to score in the one-mile Street Sense Stakes and finish third in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes at Churchill Downs, finishing in front of GUN RUNNER. As a 3-year-old, he came flying down the stretch to win the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds and finished a close third to GUN RUNNER in the Grade 2 Risen Star. After a troubled and wide trip in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby, he won the $500,000 Ohio Derby by daylight. All told, he banked more than $665,000 in his career!

2018 Fee: $2,000 Property of a Syndicate Red River Farms Inquiries to Jay Adcock P.O. Box 385 • Coushatta, Louisiana 71019 Cell: (318) 469-3900 • Phone: (318) 932-3207 or (318) 932-5884 • Fax (318) 932-9829 Email: redriverfm@gmail.com • Website: www.adcocksredriverfarm.com AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 75

76 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

JOIN US IN 2018!

2-Year-Olds in Training Sale • May 7 Breeze Show on May 6 CONSIGN NOW! Consignor Select Yearling Sale September 6 Open Yearling and Mixed Sale October 28 Where Real Consignors and Real Buyers Come Together!

www.equinesalesofla.com

Equine Sales Co. For Further Information: 372 Harry Guilbeau Road Foster Bridewell, Sales Director Opelousas, LA 70570 Tel: 214-718-7618 Web: www.equinesalesofla.com Tel: 337-678-3024 • Fax: 337-678-3028 77 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016

TAP INTO THE POWER OF KITTEN’S JOY WITH LIVE IN JOY! New to Texas for 2018: A stakes-winning son of one of the breed’s most prolific stallions

Coglianese Photo/Leslie Martin

LIVE IN JOY Kitten’s Joy – Live in Freedom, by Our Emblem • A son of champion KITTEN’S JOY (the sire of the earners of more than $77 million), LIVE IN JOY broke his maiden at first asking as a 2-year-old and proved his soundness with 11 more wins while earning $329,916!

• LIVE IN JOY won the listed $100,000 Capital City Stakes at Penn National, blazing one mile on the turf in 1:34.23.

• Broughton Farms will set aside 10 percent of any stud fees paid in a trust fund for any foal bred at the farm to cover aftercare and retirement in the future.

Standing for introductory fee of $1,500, with a $500 discount to Texas-bred mares and a limited book BROUGHTON FARM • Inquiries to Jerry or Misti Broughton 15480 S. Quartz Ave. • Odessa, Texas 79766 Phone: (432) 215-4296 • Email: misti762000@yahoo.com Accredited Texas Stallion 78 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Also standing SHERMANESQUE, a multiple graded stakes-placed son of Kentucky Derby (G1) winner FUSAICHI PEGASUS.

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS ARKANSAS THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS Oaklawn Meet Underway, Arkansas-breds Trending Up Oaklawn Park’s 2018 live meet got off to an excellent start with opening weekend temperatures above normal and ideal track conditions, plus the track’s signature corned beef sandwiches sold for 50 cents, compliments of the Arkansas HBPA. However, Old Man Winter (not a horse’s name) made an uninvited appearance the second weekend of the meet, which caused a loss of the fifth and sixth scheduled racing days. Temperatures dipped into the single digits in Hot Springs for three consecutive days; this made colder than normal days difficult for training and a frozen track impossible for racing.

The first Arkansas-bred race of the year netted 26 hopefuls. The $75,000 maiden special weight was an appealing showcase of the Arkansas restricted race program. Of course, only 12 entries went forward, with Spotitude, a 3-year-old filly by Spotsgone, starting the meet with a victory for trainer Al Cates, owners Ron Ball and Golden Sky Racing Inc. and breeders Robert and Val Yagos.

Preliminary figures are in for 2017 registered Arkansas-breds. For a small state with only 57 days of live racing, it appears that the figures continue to rise. Total unaudited 2017 earnings for registered Arkansas-breds were $6,893,908, total unaudited 2017 earnings of registered Arkansas-breds sired by registered Arkansas stallions were $4,219,859, and total unaudited 2017 earnings of registered Arkansas-breds at Oaklawn Park were $3,467,945. The total amounts deposited into the purse and awards fund during 2017 should be confirmed soon. Once received, calculations can be made to determine the percentages that will be paid for the 2017 breeder, stallion and owner awards.

As previously announced, ATBHA is again offering a bonus purse supplement for first-, second- and third-place finishes in open company races at Oaklawn. The first 2018 recipient was the Glorious Bid gelding Light Bound Bid who won an open company starter allowance for trainer F. Dewaine Loy and owner-breeder MX2 Farms Inc. A second purse bonus was earned a few days later by the Storm and a Half gelding Ms. D’s Last Storm with a second-place finish for trainer/ owner Elueterio J. Altamirano and breeder David Whited.

Our annual awards banquet will be held Friday, March 30, at the Clarion on the Lake in Hot Springs. Those interested in attending should contact the ATBHA office for more details.

INDIANA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS ITOBA Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting The ITOBA Awards Banquet and Annual Meeting is set for April 15 at Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, and we invite all members to attend this special event.

The night will kick off with cocktails and a silent auction at 3 p.m. followed by dinner at 4 p.m. and then a featured speaker and the awards presentations. ITOBA will also announce the board of directors election results. It will be a great night to mix and mingle with

your fellow horsemen and women in advance of the opening of the Indiana Grand meet on April 17.

For more information, please go to itoba.com.

ITOBA Stallion Season Auction A big thank you goes to all the generous stallion donors and bidders who helped make this year’s ITOBA Stallion Season Auction a big success. Any unsold seasons can be purchased through March 1. Go to itoba.com for more information and to see the available stallion seasons.

Racing Dates Approved for 2018 at Indiana Grand The Indiana Horse Racing Commission approved the 2018 racing dates during its regularly scheduled meeting on December 6. Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing will be held beginning Tuesday, April 17, through Wednesday, November 7.

The 120-day season will provide live racing Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with first post set at 2:05 p.m. each day except Saturdays when racing begins at 6:05 p.m. Two additional racing dates have been set for Thursday, July 19, and Thursday, September 6, with a post time of 2:05 p.m.

Six dates to be determined will be dedicated to Quarter Horse racing.

The Grade 3, $500,000-guaranteed Indiana Derby, Indiana Grand’s premier event, will highlight a full stakes schedule in 2018. A list of stakes and dates will be announced soon.

IOWA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWS Letter from the President Optimism was apparent as 2017 came to a close with a record fall sale in October and a record stallion season auction in December. I would like to thank all of the buyers at the fall sale and wish them the best with their purchases. I would also like to thank those that purchased from our stallion season auction and would like to especially thank the stallion owners and farms for donating seasons to their great stallions. We had over $193,000 in sales. Those funds are used for three stakes races worth $70,000 each.

Let’s talk about 2018 and what is coming up at Prairie Meadows.

ITBOA Executive Director Brandi Jo Fett and I have attended numerous meetings on out-of-competition testing. Testing will be implemented at Prairie Meadows for the 2018 meet. Any horse on Prairie Meadows’ grounds can be chosen at random on non-race days to be tested for illegal substances. Several horses will be tested every week.

The Iowa HBPA has been working with Prairie Meadows on several updates for the 2018 meet, such as: • All overnight purses increase by $500 per race.

• Sixth through last place will increase from $125 to $200.

• The backside will open a week earlier than the agreed time in the contract.

• The first races in condition book No. 1 are four Iowa-bred races, meaning they will be trying to run a minimum of four Iowa-bred races a day for the opening weekend.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 79

• Prairie Meadows will offer a $3,500 bonus per race for the first 12 days of racing; however, the bonus will only go into effect if eight horses step onto the track for a race (i.e., if 10 enter but only seven step onto the track from the paddock to run, the bonus will not be in effect).

We are very excited about these updates and hope to see the Iowabred races full on opening weekend.

—Steve Renftle, ITBOA President

Courtesy Hazel Park

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS

Prairie Meadows Racing Schedule Set for 2018 The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission has approved Prairie Meadows’ 29th season of live racing at the one-mile oval located just outside of Des Moines. Prairie Meadows will continue to feature both Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse meets in 2018.

The 67-day Thoroughbred season opens Thursday, April 26, with racing on a Thursday through Sunday schedule. Several special race days are also scheduled: May 28 (Memorial Day), June 13, July 3 (fireworks display to follow) and August 8. The season ends with the Iowa Classic on Saturday, August 11, with a post time of 4 p.m.

The 26-day Quarter Horse season starts August 18 and concludes October 13.

Post times remain the same as the 2017 season, with Thursday and Friday races beginning at 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday starting at 1 p.m. Special race days, holidays and notable racing events will have varying post times throughout the season. Triple Crown Saturdays (May 5, May 19 and June 9) will have a post time of 4 p.m.; Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day), will begin at 1 p.m.; and June 13 and August 8 will have a 6 p.m. post time.

Additional information on purses, stakes schedules and nomination forms, barn area opening, training schedule, health requirements, stall applications/condition books, promotions and more will be posted on the track’s website over the coming months. To stay up to date, visit prairiemeadows.com or contact the Prairie Meadows’ Racing Office at (515) 967-1205.

MICHIGAN THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS Michigan Champions for 2017 Announced The Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association congratulates the following year-end award winners for 2017.

2-Year-Old Filly: A Magic Vol (by Zulu Magic) • 2017 Race Record: 2-1-0-0, $18,000 • Owner: Jenny Barbeau • Breeder: Davidson’s Tracks-N-Time 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Elliot Road (by Elusive Hour) • 2017 Race Record: 4-2-0-1, $23,183 • Owner: Red Riding Hood Stable • Breeder: George and Chrissy Kutlenios 3-Year-Old Filly: Poof Its Magic (by Zulu Magic) • 2017 Race Record: 5-3-1-0, $44,440 • Owner/Breeder: Jenny Barbeau 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Shadow Tracer (by Even the Score) • 2017 Race Record: 8-4-2-2, $103,910 • Owner/Breeder: Elkhorn Oaks Inc. Older Filly/Mare: Dorthys Blitz (by Fire Blitz) • 2017 Race Record: 10-3-2-2, $43,030 • Owner: Ronald S. Bowling • Breeder: Felicia Campbell 80 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Horse of the Year Shadow Tracer

Older Colt/Gelding: Boo Dutton (by Equality) • 2017 Race Record: 6-2-3-0, $51,251 • Owner: Kala Crampton Uelmen • Breeder: Twin Cedars Farm Broodmare of the Year: Star Sheba • Owned by Elkhorn Oaks Inc. Stallion of the Year: Equality • Owned by the Equality Syndicate Breeder of the Year: Campbell Stable (Felicia Campbell) Small Breeder of the Year: Elkhorn Oaks Inc. Owner of the Year: Elkhorn Oaks Inc. Horse of the Year: Shadow Tracer

MINNESOTA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS Canterbury Park’s 70-Day Meet Approved by Minnesota Racing Commission Canterbury Park will conduct 70 days of horse racing in 2018. The Minnesota Racing Commission approved the Shakopee racetrack’s request to run Friday, May 4, through Saturday, September 15. This will be only the second time in 23 seasons that Canterbury has raced as many days, the other being in 2015. The 2017 season included 67 race dates.

“We’re thrilled to offer our fans and horsemen 70 days of great racing and wagering action. With record purses that could reach $15 million, we expect to continue our upward trend in attracting quality stables and creating great wagering opportunities,” Canterbury Park President Randy Sampson said.

The season again opens on Kentucky Derby weekend.

On Thursdays and Fridays in 2018, racing will begin at 6:30 p.m. and weekend and holiday racing at 12:45 p.m. On July 3, racing will begin at 4 p.m. and will be followed by a fireworks display that last July attracted more than 20,000 onlookers. In August, Canterbury will race the first four Wednesdays with no Sunday racing. The Wednesday start time will be 6:30 p.m.

“While Wednesday night racing in August will be new to our fans, we hope to capture the same success we have experienced on Thursday and Friday nights in a month when Sundays have been soft,” Sampson said. “Wednesday night racing will also display our signal more prominently on the simulcast landscape nationally. That increased exposure will not only generate what we expect to be excep-

tional handle on Wednesdays but will also translate to added wagering on other race days as horse players across the country continue to become more familiar with the Canterbury Park brand of racing.”

More information about the meet is available at canterburypark.com.

Canterbury Announces 2018 Stakes Schedule Canterbury Park has released an exciting stakes schedule for 2018.

Minnesota-breds will have more opportunities to run for bigger purses than ever before.

The Minnesota Racing Commission recently approved the allocation of $110,000 from the Thoroughbred Breeders Fund to supplement purses for Minnesota’s Festival of Champions Day on September 2. The Northern Lights Debutante and Northern Lights Futurity will see purse increases of $25,000 apiece and eligible 2-year-olds will run for $100,000. The Bella Notte Minnesota Distaff Sprint (fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up), Crocrock Minnesota Sprint (3-yearolds and up), Glitter Star Minnesota Distaff Classic (fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up) and Wally’s Choice Minnesota Classic (3-yearolds and up) will all be increased by $15,000 apiece with final purses of $75,000. The commission also allocated $250,000 from the Thoroughbred Breeders Fund to provide a 30 percent purse bonus to be paid to Minnesota-bred horses finishing first through third in open company races.

The Minnesota Made Sprint, run in two divisions, is a new addition to the Canterbury stakes line up in 2018. We’re excited to offer this race for Minnesota-conceived and -foaled horses. Our Minnesota stallions have been siring terrific racehorses, and their progeny will be running in two races at six furlongs for $45,000 apiece. Both races are for 3-year-olds and up with one division for fillies and mares.

Our Minnesota Thoroughbred Association Sales Graduate Stakes purse has been increased as well, and the 2017 graduates will be running for $50,000 on August 11. The MTA Stallion Auction Stakes will close out the race meet on September 15 with a purse of $60,000.

Stakes nominations taken by Canterbury Park are due on April 1.

The complete stakes schedule and nomination forms are available at canterburypark.com.

The MTA will be accepting nominations for the 2018 (late nomination) and 2019 Stallion Auction stakes until June 1. There is also an entry day nomination option for the 2018 Stallion Auction Stakes.

These nomination forms can be found on minnesotabred.com.

The MTA has set Sunday, August 19, as the date for the 2018 yearling sale. Because Canterbury Park will be racing on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons during August, there will be no racing on Sundays. This will allow our yearlings to arrive at Canterbury on Saturday, August 18, and the sale will be held at 4:00 p.m. the following day. This annual sale is Minnesotabreds preferred, and consignment forms will be available at minnesotabred.com in April.

This is shaping up to be a terrific year to be racing at Canterbury Park. There will be more races with bigger purses and new opportunities for our Minnesota-breds.

Minnesota Racing Commission Disburses Record Breeders Fund Awards Thanks to New ADW Legislation The Minnesota Racing Commission has authorized the payment of more than $590,000 in breeder awards to Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse breeders. This record payout is due, in part, to advance deposit wagering (ADW) legislation passed last year. Since the legislative initiative to license ADW providers, a portion of the revenues generated from Minnesota residents wagering on horse racing is being returned to Minnesota’s horse racing industry, providing increased funding for purses, breeder awards and expanded regulatory oversight.

Minnesota Thoroughbred breeders benefited from a 37 percent increase in awards in 2017 versus 2016. A total of 130 Thoroughbred breeders/breeder groups will receive $442,505 in breeder awards and $83,660 in stallion awards. In all, 249 Minnesota-bred racehorses earned qualifying purses at the 2017 Canterbury Park meet, and 229 individual broodmares earned awards for their owners. Minnesota Derby winner Hot Shot Kid was the top earning Minnesota-bred in 2017, earning $204,600 for his owner and breeder Warren Bush. Hot Shot Kid’s dam, Our Sweet Mary B, earned Bush another $12,283 in breeder awards via the Minnesota Breeders Fund program.

“Participating in the Minnesota Breeders Fund has never offered more opportunities to race, breed and foal in Minnesota,” stated Minnesota Racing Commission Deputy Director Joe Scurto. “Thoroughbred breeders were awarded 10.6 percent of eligible purses won by Minnesota-bred racehorses, and Quarter Horse breeders received 14.7 percent. Minnesota Thoroughbreds earned over $5 million at Canterbury alone in 2017, and all trends are pointing north for the program going forward.”

For more information on how to be a part of the Minnesota Breeders Fund, contact Nicole Edstrom at Nicole.M.Edstrom@state.mn.us or (952) 496-7950.

NORTH CAROLINA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS NCTA Horses Run Big at the Breeders’ Cup The North Carolina Thoroughbred Association was well represented at the 2017 Breeders’ Cup at Del Mar. Beach Patrol, a son of Lemon Drop Kid bred by Nancy Shuford, took second in the Breeder’s Cup Turf (G1). The three-time Grade 1 winner added excitement to the stretch run when he took the lead from the front-running Oscar Performance before narrowly losing by a half-length to Talismanic (GB). Nancy reported that we can look forward to seeing Beach Patrol run in 2018.

Best Performance, a Broken Vow filly owned in partnership by Carolina Cooper through West Point Thoroughbreds, ran second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1). Outrunning her 15-1 odds, the game filly overcame traffic at the rail, and when given the opportunity to open up, she accelerated down the stretch to finish threequarters of a length behind Rushing Falls. This should be an exciting year for the filly’s connections.

AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 81

Mopotism (outside) wins the three-horse photo at Santa Anita.

Frank Batten, a former NCTA president, bred the third North Carolina-linked Breeders’ Cup horse, Mopotism. Although the daughter of Uncle Mo finished off the board in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1), we are so proud of her running in the prestigious race. Our state may not have racing, but we sure do have racing people. Congratulations to all of the connections of these accomplished horses.

January saw more stakes-winning triumphs for NCTA members.

The aforementioned Mopotism prevailed in the La Canada Stakes (G2) on January 13 at Santa Anita Park in a three-way head-bob photo finish. Congratulations to Frank for breeding such a competitive, battle-worthy mare.

On January 18, Frost Wise entered the winner’s circle at Aqueduct after winning the $100,000 Bay Ridge for owners George and Stephanie Autry. The Frost Giant filly won by a nose in the 1 1⁄8-mile race.

I hope by now all of our members have renewed their NCTA memberships for 2018. You don’t want to lose your magazine subscriptions that come by joining or renewing your membership.

I am looking forward to seeing many of you at our 2018 awards event on April 28. It is being held for the first time at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase in Mineral Springs, North Carolina. As of this writing, there are five tickets left. If there is enough interest, we will be able to increase to 10 additional seats. We can only add in 10-seat increments, so there must be guaranteed sales of the lot. The cost is $200 per seat. That includes a catered lunch, beverages and snacks. We will be in a premier location under a tent. Please support the racing industry in North Carolina.

OHIO THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS NEWS Looking Back on 2017 and Forward to 2018 We had some major changes in 2017 that added to the benefits of being a member of the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners, and we look forward to your participation this year. A membership form was inserted in the 2018 American Racehorse Stallion Register, and we hope you will sign on soon and urge a friend or family member to become a part of our organization. We greatly appreciate the generosity of those who became gold members. We maintain a modest office in Miamitown that is staffed only by the executive director, 82 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

but costs for daily operation have slowly grown over the years and your support in funding is greatly appreciated.

In 2017 we joined the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred that brings our message, on a monthly basis, to more than 7,000 owners and breeders in the states of West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia. The publication is extremely well produced and informative. The editor is Eclipse Award-winning writer Joe Clancy. In addition to the colorful and wellwritten feature stories, being aligned with the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred affords us the opportunity to see what other state-bred programs are doing to make the industry grow.

We also became involved last year with American Racehorse, this quarterly publication that primarily covers the Thoroughbred industry in the Midwest, Midsouth and Southwest portion of the country and has a circulation of 5,000. American Racehorse also publishes an annual Stallion Register, and several of our farms used it to promote their Ohio stallions. Special thanks to Editor/Publisher Denis Blake for the exposure and for reaching out to the breeders of our state. Subscriptions to both of these publications are free to all current members of the OTBO. The Ohio Horsemen’s Benevolent & Protective Association was a huge boost to our organization in both their monetary and moral support. The promotional efforts and exposure we bring to racing in the state goes full circle and eventually benefits all of us—from the farms to the finish line. We greatly appreciate the vote of confidence given to us by Ohio HBPA President Joe Poole, Executive Director Dave Basler and their entire board of directors.

John Engelhardt

Benoit Photo

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS

OTBO member and trainer Mike Lauer inspects a yearling at the Ohio sale.

Through the encouragement of the HBPA, we took on a feasibility study to see if there was enough interest in the state to revive the Ohio Mixed Horse Sale, which had not taken place for more than 10 years.

The response we got was encouraging enough to proceed with the effort, and a sale was held December 3. Breeders had a platform to sell their horses, and those looking to get in on the state-bred program had a local venue at which to buy. Majestic Farm in Batavia, Ohio, played host to the sale. The pristine facility that hosts numerous dressage competitions throughout the year proved to be an excellent facility for

our needs. Owner Jeff Jarvis was extremely generous in allowing us the use of the barns, office area, equipment and sales ring, and Majestic Farm’s director of horse operations could not have been more helpful.

The monetary side of the sale was far outweighed by the benefits of the event. The feedback we have received thus far has been very encouraging to make this an annual event. Word of mouth and a positive experience are the best advertising we can get. Admittedly, there were a lot of onlookers who were window shopping and may have had their doubts about our ability to put on a quality sale after a 10-year hiatus, but at the end of the day, we proved our ability to provide a place for breeders and buyers to come together in the state. Consignors have already asked about next year’s sale and have indicated they will be bringing more horses with better pedigrees. We learned a lot about areas where we can enhance the sale in 2018. We will be making some tweaks, but all in all, we consider the process a success. We will be conducting a follow-up survey to all consignors for their input.

The awards banquet for Horse of the Year and divisional champions will once again take place at the historic Darby House at Darby Dan Farm in Galloway. Be sure to mark your calendars for Friday, May 25. The date has been moved back to accommodate farm owners who find themselves in the middle of breeding season when the event is held in March.

THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA NEWS TRAO Membership Meetings, Survey and New Website The Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma held two general membership meetings in December to provide information to members and also to receive feedback.

Among the items discussed was the benevolence program, which in 2017 included more than $220,000 used for medical, dental and vision for horsemen, plus death benefits and scholarships. Additionally, TRAO supported several charitable organizations, including the Equine Special Olympics, and a donation was made to the National HBPA Foundation to assist those affected by the California wildfires.

TRAO is excited to announce a new and improved website at traoracing.com. We have designed it to be more user-friendly and to include more news and information to help owners and trainers in Oklahoma. You can find information about the Oklahoma-bred program, including forms, fees and rules, plus information about the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, retired Thoroughbred program and TRAO membership, committees, news and more. Please check it out!

TRAO is also conducting a very important membership survey regarding breeding in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma-bred program. We encourage all horsemen (not just breeders) to provide your thoughts on the industry in Oklahoma and how we can continue to grow it. To take the survey, go to surveymonkey.com/r/ZFYC673.

Remington Park Handle Climbs for 2017 Season The 2017 Remington Park Thoroughbred season experienced increased handle, average field size and total purses compared to the previous year.

The final program on December 17, Springboard Mile Day, was the second-largest betting day on Remington Park racing in the track’s history with all-sources handle of $2,775,655. The record was set on February 24, 1990, when $2,808,243 was wagered.

Greyvitos won the 2017 edition of the $400,000 Springboard Mile, picking up 10 valuable points for 2018 Kentucky Derby eligibility in the process. This was the first year for the Springboard Mile as a Kentucky Derby points race.

The final day of the season capped 67 dates with total handle on Remington Park racing of $66,844,252, up 16.6 percent from the 2016 total of $57,332,509. The increase was boosted by export handle on Remington Park of $63,188,252, up 18.2 percent from last year when the export betting was $53,466,844.

“Remington Park enjoyed a successful Thoroughbred season thanks to our fans, horsemen and business partners, helping drive our pari-mutuel handle,” said Matt Vance, Remington Park vice president of operations. “We had an increase in field size this season, and our stakes program was well supported both locally and from connections shipping horses from across the United States to compete in Oklahoma City.”

The Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby was won this year by Untrapped, the first derby win at the track by National Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen who wrapped up his record 13th leading trainer title at Remington Park. This year, for the first time, the Oklahoma Derby had three competitors—Battle of Midway, Girvin and Untrapped—who also raced in the Kentucky Derby earlier in the year.

Eclipse Award winner Champagne Room won the Remington Park Oaks on the Oklahoma Derby undercard. Her resume and success in the race helped bring it graded status for the first time in its history.

The 2018 Oaks will carry a Grade 3 title, joining the Oklahoma Derby as Remington Park’s graded Thoroughbred events.

Remington Park purses grew in 2017 to $16,144,945 for an average of $240,969 per day. The total is up 1.8 percent over the $15,855,080 distributed a year ago.

A total of 5,410 horses took part in the 604 races—one less race than in 2016—at Remington Park this season for an average field size of 8.96, up from the average of 8.4 in 2016. Both seasons had 67 race dates.

Remington Park’s on-track handle of $3,454,413 slid 4.4 percent from a year ago when it was $3,613,712. Thunder Roadhouse in north Oklahoma City had handle on Remington Park of $201,587 as the track’s lone off-track location. There were three off-track sites in 2016 playing a total of $251,953 on Remington Park racing.

Springboard Mile Winner Greyvitos Voted Remington Horse of the Meeting Greyvitos, the talented gray who won the $400,000 Springboard Mile by 2 1⁄4 lengths, was voted the 2017 Remington Park Horse of the Meeting. The seasonal titles are determined by a vote of media that covered the season along with track and racing department officials.

Owned by Triple B Farms and trained by Adam Kitchingman, Greyvitos was ridden to victory in the Springboard by National Racing Hall of Fame jockey Victor Espinoza. Greyvitos, a Virginia-bred colt by Malibu Moon, overcame his outside number 12 post in the Springboard to AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 83

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS

Dustin Orona Photography

take over the top 2-year-old race of the meet with just under a halfmile remaining. Greyvitos set a stakes record for the Springboard Mile, crossing the finish in 1:37.14 over a fast track.

Greyvitos was also a unanimous selection as the Champion 2-YearOld Male for the Remington Park season.

Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Male—Ivan Fallunovalot Ivan Fallunovalot was dominant in his two races during the Remington Park season and was voted to his third consecutive titles as Champion Sprinter and Champion Older Male. Owned by Lewis Mathews Jr. and trained by Tom Howard, Ivan Fallunovalot was ridden in both his sprint triumphs by Luis Quinonez. The Texas-bred gelding by Valid Expectations easily won an allowance race early in the season before taking his fourth consecutive $150,000 David Vance Stakes.

Champion Oklahoma-bred and Champion Claimer—Eurobond Eurobond also received multiple honors, being voted Champion Oklahoma-bred and Champion Claimer. Finishing the meet with a perfect five-for-five record, Eurobond started the meet for owners James and Marilyn Helzer, scoring in claiming company. The 4-year-old gelding was claimed from that race for $17,500 by Danny Caldwell, who campaigned him to four more wins. Trained for the final four victories of the season by Federico Villafranco, Eurobond moved up the talent ladder, winning the $130,000 Oklahoma Classics Sprint in late October.

Bred in Oklahoma by James Helzer, Eurobond is by Euroears. Eu-

Greyvitos

robond won three races in open company and a pair of attempts against Oklahoma-breds. He won twice at five furlongs, once at 5 1⁄2 furlongs and twice more at six furlongs.

Champion 3-year-old Female—Champagne Room Champagne Room, the 2016 Eclipse Award winning 2-year-old filly, romped in her lone start at the track, winning the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks by 3 3⁄4 lengths in stakes-record time.

Owned by Sharon Alesia, Robin Christensen, Ciaglia Racing and Gulliver Racing and trained by Peter Eurton, the Kentucky-bred daughter of Broken Vow was a unanimous selection as Champion 3-Year-Old Female.

84 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

Champion 3-Year-Old Male—Untrapped Michael Langford’s Untrapped gave trainer Steve Asmussen his first win in the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park.

A starter in the 2017 Kentucky Derby, Untrapped managed to work his way through traffic off the final turn to win the derby by 1 3⁄4 lengths under Ricardo Santana. Untrapped finished ahead of Battle of Midway, also a Kentucky Derby starter, who would go on to capture the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) in November.

Untrapped is a Kentucky-bred colt by Trappe Shot.

Champion Older Female—Gianna’s Dream Gianna’s Dream returned to Remington Park in 2017 to capture two more stakes races and her second seasonal title in the process.

She was voted Champion Turf Performer in 2016.

Owned by Jordan Wycoff and trained by Mike Maker, Gianna’s Dream won the $75,000 Ricks Memorial on the Oklahoma Derby undercard and her second consecutive $130,000 Oklahoma Classics Distaff Turf.

Bred in Oklahoma by Center Hills Farm and Randy Blair, Gianna’s Dream is by Twirling Candy.

Champion Turf Performer—Pacific Typhoon Owned by Carol Nelson and trained by Veronica Griggs, Pacific Typhoon captured all three of his starts—all on the turf—at Remington Park, including the $130,000 Oklahoma Classics Turf and $50,000 Red Earth Stakes. Bred in Oklahoma by Clark Brewster, Pacific Typhoon is

by Don’t Get Mad. Champion 2-Year-Old Female—Cosmic Burst Cosmic Burst made simple work in winning her only Remington Park start, the $100,000 Trapeze Stakes. The 2-year-old filly rolled to a commanding 5 1⁄4-length victory in the one-mile event, winning her third consecutive race to close her 2017 season. Owned by Norma Lee Stockseth and Todd Dunns, Cosmic Burst is trained by Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Famer Donnie Von Hemel. A Pennsylvania-bred daughter of Violence, Cosmic Burst was bred by Pewter Stable. She set a new stakes record in the Trapeze Stakes and was a unanimous selection as Champion 2-Year-Old Female.

In the human award categories, Steve Asmussen, Ramon Vazquez and Danny Caldwell all topped the standings again.

Asmussen, a National Racing Hall of Fame and Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer, had 82 winners to win his 13th Chuck Taliaferro Award as the top trainer at Remington Park. He now has more season titles in Oklahoma City than any other trainer. He came into the 2017 season tied with Donnie Von Hemel.

Asmussen also led all trainers with record earnings of $2,252,190.

No trainer had ever topped the $2 million mark in earnings during a Remington Park season until this year.

The leading trainer award is named after Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame trainer Chuck Taliaferro. A two-time leading trainer at Remington Park, Taliaferro was a top trainer for decades at different tracks around the nation. He passed away in 1994.

Vazquez won his fifth consecutive Pat Steinberg Award as leading rider, visiting the winner’s circle 94 times. Vazquez, 32, won his 1,000th race in the United States on October 5. The Puerto Rico native also led Remington Park jockeys with $1,997,140 in earnings.

Vazquez is the first-call rider for leading owner Danny Caldwell and became the first-call jockey for Asmussen over the second half of the meet. The leading jockey award is named after the late Pat Steinberg, who dominated the standings at Remington Park until his death in 1993. Steinberg, an Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame jockey, won nine consecutive seasonal championships in Oklahoma City.

Caldwell racked up his ninth Ran Ricks Jr. Award as leading owner and his eighth consecutive. Caldwell’s horses won 39 races, finishing 15 ahead of Asmussen-owned runners. Caldwell also led all owners with earnings of $777,282.

Caldwell has won the Ran Ricks Jr. Award every year since 2010.

The leading owner award is named after the first owner to stable horses at Remington Park. Ricks, an Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame owner, was a seven-time leading owner at Remington Park prior to his passing in 1996.

New Hall of Fame Class Inducted at Remington Park A new class was honored with induction to the Oklahoma Horse Racing Hall of Fame at Remington Park on December 15. The inductees included jockey Luis S. Quinonez, trainer Joe Offolter, breeder/ owner/trainer C.R. Trout, broadcaster Chris Lincoln and horses Caleb’s Posse, She’s All In and Okie Ride.

Quinonez, who started his career in 1989, won the first race he ever rode at Remington Park and is only the second jockey to win more than 1,000 races locally. Quinonez, who won the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby on Wally’s Choice in 2004, is approaching 3,700 total career victories.

Offolter, present at Remington Park since the day the track opened in 1988, is just the third conditioner to train more than 500 winners at Remington Park.

Trout was honored for a breeding and racing operation that deals almost solely in stakes and upper-level competitors, including his homebred Shotgun Kowboy, who won the Grade 3 Oklahoma Derby and two editions of the Oklahoma Classics Cup while earning nearly $1 million.

A longtime resident of Tulsa, Lincoln helped found the sports production company Winnercomm and developed horse racing pro-

gramming for ESPN and other networks for over 20 years. Lincoln still works in the Tulsa market after retiring as executive sports director at KTUL-TV in Tulsa in 2011.

Kentucky-bred Caleb’s Posse, winner of the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Churchill Downs in 2011, was honored as the latest horse to win at Remington Park and go on to multiple Grade 1 success on the national stage. Owned by the late Don McNeill in partnership with Everett Dobson’s Cheyenne Stables, both of Oklahoma, Caleb’s Posse won the Clever Trevor Stakes at Remington in 2010 as a 2-yearold. He was trained by Donnie Von Hemel.

She’s All In is only the second female Oklahoma-bred to become a millionaire. She won the Oklahoma Classics Distaff for four consecutive years for owner-breeder Robert Zoellner, retiring after her final Classics Distaff in 2013. She was trained by Roger Engel early in her career and by Von Hemel for the majority of her career.

Okie Ride, a four-time winner of the Oklahoma Classics Sprint, was inducted into the hall of fame for breeders and owners Kris and John Richter of Richter Family Trust and trainer Kenny Nolen. Okie Ride was one win away from tying the all-time Remington Park mark for career wins when he unexpectedly died in August.

SOUTH CAROLINA THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS Dickinson Named 2017 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year Three-time graded stakes winner Dickinson has been named the 2017 Aiken Trained Horse of the Year. Bred and owned by Godolphin Racing LLC, Dickinson was broken and trained as a yearling and into her 2-year-old year by Tim Jones, head of the Godolphin team in Aiken.

The now 6-year-old mare captured the Grade 3 Suwanee River Stakes, Grade 2 Hillsborough Stakes and Grade 1 Jenny Wiley Stakes in 2017 while earning $603,630.

Previous winners of the award include Aiken-based Dogwood Stable’s Limehouse in 2005 and Palace Malice in 2013 and 2014. Curalina, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, which has an office in Aiken, earned the title in 2015 and 2016.

Dickinson will be honored March 18 in a ceremony at the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame.

Dustin Orona Photography

News from Elloree Jockey Weston Hamilton, who began to refine his riding skills at Goree Smith’s Elloree Training Center, “broke his maiden” at Laurel Park, winning two races on December 11. Hall of Fame jockey Chris Antley also “went to school” at the Elloree Training Center.

Two of Smith’s equine grads, Tiz Mischief and Promises Fulfilled, are on the Kentucky Derby trail.

She’s All In AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 85

STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS TEXAS THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS Texas Chrome Repeats as Texas Horse of the Year

Dustin Orona Photography

Texas Chrome, who last year joined Groovy as just the second Texas-bred millionaire in history, will be named Texas Horse of the Year for the second consecutive time at the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s annual meeting and awards banquet on June 23 at Lone Star Park. The 2017 Texas champions were determined by points earned in stakes performances during the year.

Texas Chrome competed in five graded stakes during 2017 with a trio of second-place finishes in the Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) and Lone Star Park Handicap (G3) in his home state and the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G3) in Iowa. Texas Chrome also won the Assault Stakes at Lone Star Park and in the process went over the $1-million mark in earnings for Danny Keene’s Keene Thoroughbreds LLC. The now 5-year-old stallion has been retired to stud with a career record of 22-9-4-3 and earnings of $1,033,262. He will also be awarded the title of Texas Champion Older Horse.

Texas Chrome

Texas Chrome, a $10,000 purchase by Keene at the 2014 Texas Summer Yearling Sale, was bred by Craig Upham and sired by Grasshopper, who previously stood at Lane’s End Texas and now stands at Valor Farm near Pilot Point, Texas. Upham and his wife, Sue Dowling, consigned Texas Chrome to the sale in the name of their Stoneview Farm.

Texas Chrome’s half sister, Patrona Margarita, will be honored as Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Filly after the daughter of Special Rate won the Grade 2 Pocahontas Stakes at Churchill Downs and ran third in the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity at Lone Star Park. Bred and owned

by Upham, Patrona Margarita is out of the Texas-bred Naevus mare Margarita Mistress, who will be named Texas Champion Broodmare for the second year in a row.

Longtime Texas breeders and owners Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch also scored dual honors as their homebreds Kat’s Infatuation and Zippit E earned the titles of Texas Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and Texas Champion Older Filly/Mare, respectively.

Following is the complete list of 2017 champion horses: 86 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018

2-Year-Old Filly: Patrona Margarita (by Special Rate) • Owner/Breeder: Craig D. Upham 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Redatory (by Oratory) • Owner/Breeder: James Wessel 3-Year-Old Filly: Kat’s Infatuation (by Silver City) • Owner/Breeder: Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Durocher (by Niagara Causeway) • Owner: Sterling Racing LLC, John Herzberg and Michelle Allan • Breeder: La Bahia Stud Inc. Older Filly/Mare: Zippit E (by My Golden Song) • Owner/Breeder: Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch Horse of the Year and Older Horse: Texas Chrome (by Grasshopper) • Owner: Keene Thoroughbreds LLC • Breeder: Craig Upham Champion Broodmare: Margarita Mistress The award for the Texas Champion Claimer will be determined by an online vote on the TTA website.

Update on Texas Racing Dates The Texas Racing Commission voted December 20 to approve 2018 and 2019 race date requests as follows: Sam Houston Race Park, 2018: 20 days of Quarter Horse racing with projected purses per day of $65,000. 2019: 32 days of Thoroughbred racing (no change from current) with projected purses per day of $135,000, and 20 days of Quarter Horse racing with projected purses per day of $65,000.

Lone Star Park, 2018: 44 days of Thoroughbred racing (a loss of six days from 2017) running April 19 through July 22 with projected purses per day of $165,000, and 16 days of Quarter Horse racing with projected purses per day of $150,000.

Retama Park, 2018: 25-day mixed meet with 12 1⁄2 Thoroughbred days and 12 1⁄2 Quarter Horse days. Thoroughbreds will run July 31 through September 5, mainly on a Tuesday-Wednesday schedule, with projected purses per day of $95,000.

Gillespie County Fairgrounds, 2018: Traditional eight-day mixed meet scheduled July 6 through August 25.

The commission does not have authority to require a track to run a certain number of days. As always, the tracks may later request to add days or delete days from their approved schedule.

The commission also took action to initiate the process for a thirdparty economy, efficiency and effectiveness audit. As part of that initiative, commissioners voted to approve publication in the Texas Register of proposed new Rule 309.13 regarding funding of such an audit with a supplemental fee to be paid by each licensed racing association.

The rule that would have significantly increased racetrack license fees was not on the agenda for this meeting. Since it was posted in the Texas Register earlier in the fall, the rule may be voted on at a subsequent meeting.

Board of Directors Election Results Ballots for the Texas Thoroughbred Association’s board of directors election have been tabulated and the results are as follows: George Bryant of Arlington, Corey Johnsen of Grapevine, Susan Moulton of San Antonio and Doug Smith of Clarksville were elected

to three-year terms as at-large directors, along with returning director Brent Savage of Cypress. Brant Schafer of Elgin was elected to represent the Central Region and incumbent Teo Mallet was re-elected to represent the East Region.

We would like to welcome our new directors and thank all the candidates. We also extend special thanks and recognition to outgoing directors Tom Bradfield of Austin, Ed Few of Jasper, Danny Keene of Greenville, Wes Melcher of Sulphur Springs and Fred Taylor of Fort Worth.

Texas Thoroughbred Association Sets 2018 Sale Dates The Texas Thoroughbred Association, in partnership with Lone Star Park, has announced its sales dates for 2018.

The Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be held April 10 with the under tack show set for April 8. Horses will breeze over the Lone Star Park track, and the sale will be held at the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion on the backside.

All sale graduates will be eligible for nomination to the 2018 Texas Thoroughbred Sales Futurity to be run at Lone Star with two divisions and an estimated purse of $100,000 apiece.

The Texas Summer Yearling Sale has been scheduled for August 27, also at Lone Star.

This will mark the third year for the Texas sales under the operation of TTA and Lone Star Park after taking over for Fasig-Tipton. Last year’s 2-year-olds in training sale posted an average of $26,770 and gross sales of $1.874 million, compared to an $18,515 average and $981,300 in gross sales a year earlier.

“We have seen tremendous growth in the 2-year-old sale, as I think buyers and consignors from around the Southwest region responded

to the stability we have brought to the auction market here,” said Tim Boyce, sales director. “I know quite a few buyers who found some nice pinhooking prospects at our yearling sale, so we expect to see some of those horses again.”

For more information, go to ttasales.com.

We Have Your Money...You Have Our Information!

Is your name on this list of breeders and owners who have earned money through the Accredited Texas-Bred Program for 2016 racing?

For various reasons, the TTA has been unable to pay the individuals listed below. Usually the problem is very simple to correct. Perhaps a transfer form was never completed when you purchased your money-earning Texas Thoroughbred, or maybe you have moved and forgotten to tell us. Please call the TTA’s Accreditation Department at (512) 458-6133 so we can complete your paperwork—and so you can collect your ATB earnings.

JONATHAN BOXIE........................................................... $145.85 DIAMOND ENTERPRISES (STACIA DAVIS) ....................... $931.23 SCOTT FRIESENHAHN..................................................... $119.79 CINTHIA J. GARCIA ......................................................... $135.66 WILLIAM E. GOSS & RICHARD MARTOS ........................... $72.81 TRINIDAD GRANADOS ................................................... $129.12 ELTON H. HARTWICK ........................................................ $87.34 MAGNOLIA RACING STABLE & JIM WARD ..................... $210.79 KENNY MCPHERSON ...................................................... $200.55 KEVIN MULLIKIN ............................................................ $259.90 KAY REED ....................................................................... $657.13 MARIO SALAZ DE SALAS BUERBA ............................... $1,142.07

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• He won another stakes as a 3-year-old and finished his career with more than $250,000 in earnings.

• PATAKY KID is by ROCKPORT HARBOR, sire of champion and Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner RIA ANTONIA, and he is from the family of multiple champion and $3-million earner SILVERBULLETDAY. • Look for his first crop of yearlings in 2018!

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American Racehorse Advertisers Index Arkansas-breds For Sale............................ 95 AlphaBio Centrix.......................................91 AmeriJet.....................................................94 The Art of Horse Racing..........................94 Asmussen Horse Center.......................14, 15 Baker Ranch.............................................. 68 Blueskiesnrainbows....................................61 Csaba...........................................................17 Dodson Training Stable............................94 Dramedy......................................................37 El Deal........................................................64 Equine Equipment...................................... 5 Equine Sales Company............................. 77 Equiwinner.................................................19 Eureka Thoroughbred Farm............... 70, 71 Evil Minister..............................................90 EZ Animal Products................................. 89 Foal to Yearling Halter..............................94 Grande Shores........................................... 92

Advertise in the American Racehorse classifieds for as little as $75 per issue!

Contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or info@americanracehorse.com

Heritage Place.............................................4 Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development..................................... 13, 96 Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Assoc................................ 12 Iowa State University........................... 34, 35 John Deere.................................................. 21 KC Horse Transportation........................94 Knorpp Bloodstock Insurance Agency LC...........................60 Live in Joy................................................... 78 Dan Mahaney Auctioneers........................ 95 Mallory Farm.............................................94 MBM Horse Transport............................94 Mighty Acres...........................................IFC Mo Tom......................................................75 Moonshine Mullin..................................... 62 Mr. Sidney.................................................. 93 Pancho Villa Offspring Wanted................ 95

Pataky Kid.................................................. 88 Prayer for Relief......................................... 24 R Star Stallions............................................ 9 RacingHorseArt Photography................. 95 River Oaks Farms Inc.....................52, 53, 87 Santa Fe Horse Transport........................94 Southwest Shavings LLC......................... 59 Special Rate........................................... IBC Stemmans.com........................................... 59 Street Strategy........................................... 63 Takeover Target.........................................16 Taprize....................................................... 76 Taste of Paradise..........................................1 Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma................................ 54, 55, 69 TTA Sales.................................................. 36 Valor Farm.................BC, 2, 3, 22, 23, 44, 45 What Now................................................... 8 Wilburn........................................................ 7 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • WINTER 2018 95

Indiana-breds=

Real Hoosier horsepower!

BUCCHERO

It’s time to reap the rewards of a growing regional program!

Winner, Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland Bred by: Southern Chase Farm/Karen Dodd

Indiana-bred and sired horses have proven their mettle across the country and across borders.

In 2017, the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Program distributed $16 million in incenti incentive money, and that’s not just in Indiana.

PHOTO BY MATHEA KELLEY

For more information: in.gov/hrc/tb.htm

317-233-3119

IndianaThoroughbredBreedDevelopment

@INThoroughbred

@INhorseracing

2018 VALOR FARM STALLION ROSTER

BRADESTER

Lion Heart – Grandestofall,

by Grand Slam 2018 FEE: $3,500 Bee Silva

Offering the most dynamic stallion lineup in the region

CROSSBOW

Bernardini – Forest Heiress,

by Forest Wildcat

CONGAREE

2018 FEE: $2,000

2018 FEE: $3,000

EARLY FLYER William Miller

EAGLE

Candy Ride (Arg) – Sea Gull, by Mineshaft 2018 FEE: $5,000

2018 FEE: $2,500

Coady Photography

Gilded Time – Bistra, by Classic Go Go

William Miller

Arazi – Mari’s Sheba,

by Mari’s Book

GRASSHOPPER

2018 FEE: $3,500

Unbridled’s Song – Golden Par, by Gold Meridian

William Miller

William Miller

MY GOLDEN SONG

Dixie Union – Grass Skirt,

by Mr. Prospector

2018 FEE: $5,000

STONESIDER

Giant’s Causeway – Added Gold, by Gilded Time 2018 FEE: $2,000

Bee Silva

TOO MUCH BLING Rubiano – Rose Colored Lady,

by Formal Dinner 2018 FEE: $6,500

Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm