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4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012COVER PHOTO OF TURBO COMPRESSOR: EQUIPHOTOCONTENTS (JERANIMO): BENOIT & ASSOCIATES
August • 2012/VOL 55/ISSUE 6 DEPARTMENTS/COLUMNS6 THE BROCK TALK8 FLORIDA FOCUS35 MEMORY LANE:1959–My Dear Girl
By Jo Ann Guidry
49 CHASE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP41 LEADING SIRES56 FARM MANAGEMENT:
Stop StormWater RunoffBy Jamie Cohen
58 PRACTICALLY SPEAKING:Scum of the PondBy Mark Shuffitt
60 YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARKBy Connie Duff Wise
62 PLAYER’S PAGE: Is FederalLegislation Good for BusinessBy Paul Moran
14 BRYLYNN FARMRare Double graded stakes winsfor Central Florida’s Brylynn Farm
20 RICEHORSE STABLES:Humble and HungryNewlyweds Brandon Rice andAlexandra de Meric have en-joyed early success under theirnew RiceHorse Stables bannerBy Michael Compton
26 RON THE GREEK:Numerous MilestonesFlorida-bred Ron the Greekkeeps notching up milestonesBy Brock Sheridan
28 TURBO COMPRESSORTurbo Compressor continues Floridadominance in United NationsBy Brock Sheridan
32 ROMANCING THE ROONEYNorth American championfemale sprinter, Musical Romance,wins the Princess RooneyBy Heather Thomas
44 SUMMIT OF SPEED: In CommandOffspring of Journeyman Studstallions call the shots at Calder’sSummit of SpeedBy Michael Compton
48 TRF: From Prison to PaddockAt the Florida TRF facility thehorses are cared for solely byfemale inmates from the LowellCorrectional InstituteBy Melanie LaCour
FEATURES
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FTBOA OFFICERS ANDBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Phil Matthews, PresidentBrent Fernung, First Vice President FrancisVanlangendonck, SecondVice President
Sheila DiMare, Secretary Bonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer
DIRECTORS
CEO & EXECUTIVEVICE PRESIDENTLonny T. Powell
801 SW 60thAvenue • Ocala, Florida 34474(352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com
American Horse Publications • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
© THE FLORIDA HORSE (ISSN 0090-967X) is publishedmonthly except July by THE FLORIDA HORSE, INC., 801SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474, including the annual Sta-tistical Review in February.
Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors anddo not necessarily reflect those of Florida Equine Publicationsor the Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Associa-tion. Publication of any material originating herein is expresslyforbidden without first obtaining written permission from THEFLORIDA HORSE©.
Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing inNorth America are compiled from data generated by Daily Rac-ing Form, Equibase, Bloodstock Research Information Serv-ices, and The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., thecopyright owners of said data. Reproduction is prohibited.
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 5
Joe Barbazon Linda Appleton PotterCraig Bernick George RussellDean DeRenzo Jessica SteinbrennerRoy Lerman Charlotte C. WeberDiane Parks Greg Wheeler
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Brock Sheridan
BUSINESS MANAGER
Patrick Vinzant
ART DIRECTOR
John Filer
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
JoAnn Guidry
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Beverly Kalberkamp
CORRESPONDENTS
Jay Friedman, Doug McCoy, Cynthia McFarland, Mark Shuffitt, Michael Compton
PUBLISHERFlorida Equine Publications, Inc.
(A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)
Executive Office - 801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474
BOARD OF DIRECTORSPhil Matthews, President/Board Chairman
Brent Fernung, 1st Vice PresidentFrancis Vanlangendonck, 2nd Vice President
Sheila DiMare, SecretaryBonnie M. Heath III, Treasurer
CEO & EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT Lonny T. Powell
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Caroline T. Davis
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If one subscribes to the old adage that says numbers
don’t lie, then Florida-breds had notable success at
NorthAmerican thoroughbred race tracks during the
months of June and July.
That could be apparent to even the casual observer of
such things as runners from the Sunshine State won two
Grade 1 races in eachmonth with Ron the Greek winning
the Stephen Foster at Churchill Downs on Jun. 16 and
Jeranimo taking the Shoemaker Mile at Betfair Holly-
wood Park two weeks later. Then Musical Romance won
the Princess Rooney Stakes at Calder Casino and Race
Course and Turbo Compressor took the United Nations
Stakes at Monmouth Park , both on July 7.
A closer look at other stakes results and breeding sta-
tistics however, accentuates the point even further.
To determine what percentage of thoroughbred run-
ners during those two months were bred in Florida, we
first assume that the vast majority of thoroughbreds at the
tracks today fall somewhere in the
two to 5-year-old age group. Using
that assumption and combining it
with the annual Florida Registered
Foal Crop as published by the
Jockey Club Fact Book, we see that
when those age groups were foaled,
Florida babies made up 11.8% of the
North American crop in 2007, 10.2% in 2008, 9.2% in
2009 and 7.9% in 2010 (second in numbers and percent-
ages to only Kentucky.)
Although the vast majority of thoroughbreds racing
today are ages two through four, we’ll stay conservative
on the high side and average those four foal crop numbers
to assume Florida-breds make up approximately 9.8% of
the population at tracks today. The actual percentage of
Florida-breds currently racing is almost certainly lower,
but to make a point, we’ll stay conservative and keep the
number artificially high.
During themonth of June, Florida-breds won 19 stakes
races. UsingDaily Racing Form as a source with an effort
to delete all restricted and non-black type stakes, those 19
stakes winners made up nearly 14% percent of all stakes
winners in NorthAmerica during the month of June.
Looking at graded stakes during themonth of June, we
addVagrancy Handicap (G2) winner CC’s Pal and Bash-
ford Manor Stakes (G3) winner Circle Unbroken to the
list of Florida-bred graded stakes winners. In total, June
featured 33 graded stakes around the continent of which
four (12.1%) were won by those bred in Florida.
July was even more impressive for Florida-breds. Dur-
ing the month there were 23 Florida-bred stakes winners
that amounted to 14.1%of all non-restricted and black-type
stakes in North America in July. Of the 57 graded stakes
during the month, 13 were won by Florida-breds which
amounts to a whopping 22.8%—more than double what
would be expected by less than 10% of the population.
There were ten Grade 1 stakes in July so the victories
by Musical Romance in the Princess Rooney and Turbo
Compressor calculate to 20%—again more than double
the expectation.
The biggest day of the month for Florida-breds was by
far Jul. 7 when Musical Romance andTurbo Compressor
took the headlines with their Grade 1 tallies. But the day
also featured graded stakes winners
Mucho Macho Man (Suburban
Handicap [G2]), Emma’s Encore
(Victory Ride Stakes [G3]), Fort
Loudon (Carry Back Stakes [G3])
and Another Romance (Azalea
Stakes [G3])—all bred in Florida.
Yes it is without question that sta-
tistics can be calculated, twisted and molded to say just
about anything the author, mathematician or marketer
would like to convey. But these numbers are all verymuch
straight forward. Because of overnight stakes that may
have been written late or perhaps restricted stakes were
not found, it is only fair to disclose that theremay be slight
variances in the above calculations, but it would be diffi-
cult to manipulate them too much one way or the other
because of the simplicity of the calculations.
Regardless, it is difficult to argue that Florida-bred
thoroughbreds continue to excel above their counterparts
foaled in other states. Not to say that Florida can compete
with Kentucky on volume as the Bluegrass State produces
approximately 33% of the thoroughbreds in NorthAmer-
ica. But when it comes to the probability of a given
Florida-bred becoming a stakes winner compared to those
foaled in other states—at least in June and July of this
year—the numbers don’t lie.�
Regardless, it isdifficult to argue that
Florida-bred thoroughbredscontinue to excel above
their counterparts foaledin other states.
6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
the Brock talk
Brock SheridanEditor-in-Chief
Florida Equine Publications
The NumbersDon’t Lie
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Fighting back along the rail after
losing the lead in deep stretch, Florida-
bred C C’s Pal put away favored Nicole
H in the final jumps to take the 62nd
running of the Grade 2, $200,000 Va-
grancy Handicap at Belmont Park by a
neck on Jun. 2.
Sent right to the front by jockey Junior
Alvarado, C C’s Pal was able to set un-
pressured fractionsof23.55 seconds for the
openingquarter-mile and47.07 for thehalf
before Nicole H began moving up on the turn.
Once straightened for home, Nicole H charged
up on the outside and stuck a nose in front with
110 yards to go, only to relinquish the lead to
the game CC’s Pal in the final strides.
Her winning time for the 6½ furlongs
was 1:16.10. She was bred in Florida by
Beth Bayer of Ocala.
It was the first graded stakes victory for
the 5-year-old daughter ofAlex’s Pal, who last
fall finished third in the Grade 2Go forWand
atAqueduct Racetrack in November, third in
the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie at Laurel Park
in February, and second to It’s Tricky in the
Grade 2 Distaff at Aqueduct inApril.
“I said, ‘I can’t believe she’s going
to run second again in a graded
race,’” said winning owner Eric Fein.
“I wanted that graded win for her.
The jock turned her head a little bit,
she saw the other horse, she fights.
She’s proven she’s got more heart
than anybody.”
Second one week ago at Parx Rac-
ing in theMy Juliet, in which Nicole H
finished fourth, C C’s Pal is now 8-7-6 from
29 career starts. No worse than third in five
starts this year, including a victory in the
Ladies Handicap at Aqueduct on NewYear’s
Day, C C’s Pal won $120,000 to increase her
earnings to $663,086 and returned $5.70 for a
$2 win bet as the 9-5 second choice.
8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
FloridaFOCUS
CC’s Pal Gets Graded Stakes Win in Vagrancy
Compiled by Brock Sheridan
COGL
IANE
SEPH
OTO
Florida-bred CCʼs Pal
Becausei’mworthit, making her seasonal debut off a nearly six-
month break, led every step of the way en route to victory in the off-
the-turf running of the $55,000 CoolAir Stakes at Calder Casino &
Race Course on Jun. 18, prevailing by two lengths while covering the
five-furlong distance in :58.22.
A Florida homebred owned by Ups & Downs Farms of Citra,
Becausei’mworthit is by Indian Express, who stands at Ups &
Downs Farms.
“If they were going to let me go easy, the plan was to go to the
front and just take it from there,” winning rider Jose Lopez said.
“And that’s what she did. I kept waiting to see if any of the other
horses were going to come after me, but they never did.And she had
enough left for the end.”
Ridden aggressively from post two by Lopez, Becausei’mwor-
thit was never intent on merely rationing her early speed as the filly
quickly opened up a clear lead on her rivals, running opening splits
in a rather swift :21.81 and :45.20.
Becausei’mworthit entered the stretch with a six-length advan-
tage on her rivals, andwhile Nakanomade some noise late when run-
ning down the lane with purpose, the outcome was never in peril, as
Lopez got just enough out of his filly to hold sway through the wire.
Trained byMonteThomas, Becausei’mworthit returned $10.40,
$5.40, and $3.80 for her front-running victory. Nakano paid $3.40
and $2.80 for second, while Leopard Rock returned $3.40 when 1¾
lengths back in third.
Completing the order of finish was Indulgence, Many Crowns,
Commence Firing, and More Than Speed.
With her victory in the CoolAir, Becausei’mworthit has nowwon
four of 11 starts and has lifetime earnings of $90,313. The win was
the first stakes triumph for the daughter of Indian Express, who was
already stakes-placed having finished third in last year’s running of
the CoolAir.
Becausei’mworthit is Good Value in Cool Air
COAD
YPH
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Florida-bred Becauseiʼmworthit
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 9
Wild About TiffanyCrazy Good inU Can Do It
David and Teresa Palmer’s homebred
Wild Bout Tiffany, who ran for a $25,000
claiming price thisMarch at Gulfstream Park,
was a surprise winner of the $75,000 U Can
Do It Handicap at Calder Casino & Race
Course Jun. 9, leading throughout to win by a
neck while covering six furlongs in 1:11.27.
“The instructionswere to sit still andwait as
much as I could,” winning rider Manoel Cruz
said. “But she broke the gate like shewanted to
go, and she put like two or three lengths on
them, which I was happy to take. I took a hold
and nobody wanted to go with me.”
Wild Bout Tiffany cut fractions of :21.98
and :45.36, and was resilient through the wire
to hold off threatening late challenges from
both Florida-bred Flying Trip and Bessie M.
“She started to get a little tired at the end,
but we got there,” Cruz said.
Wild Bout Tiffany returned $29.00,
$10.40, and $7.40 for the win, the second
Summit Preview Day stakes victory for
trainer Bill Kaplan. Flying Trip paid $5.20
and $3.20 when second, while Bessie M
brought back $14.00 for third.
Wild Bout Tiffany has now prevailed in
seven of 19 starts. The daughter of Journey-
man Stud stallion Wildcat Heir boosted her
lifetime bankroll to $212,120.
The U Can Do It Handicap is the local
prep for the Grade 1 Princess Rooney, the
centerpiece event on the July 7 Summit of
Speed program. No U Can Do It Handicap
winner has returned to win the Princess
Rooney, although Kaplan’s Musical Ro-
mance, who won the U Can Do It last year,
was beaten a nose in the Princess Rooney.
For only the second time in 17 seasons
and 571 races, a stakes event at Emerald
Downs in Auburn, Wash., wound up in a
dead-heat for first place.
D’honorable One, the 11-to-10 betting fa-
vorite ridden by LeslieMawing, andMakors
Finale, the 9-to-2 third choice ridden byGal-
lynMitchell, hit the finish line together, both
running 6½ furlongs in a stakes record
1:14.53 on a fast track.
It was three lengths back to third-place fin-
isher Brady’s Kat, a 40-to-1 long shot ridden
by JavierMatias, and a $6.20 show payoff.
MakorsFinale,whoseprevious seven races
were all atTurf Paradise, sprinted clear imme-
diately and set fractions of :22.22 and :44.31,
but D’honorable One challenged outside
MakorsFinale into the stretch, and the twocolts
hooked up in a virtual match race to the wire.
D’honorable One appeared to have a
slight lead past mid-stretch, but Makors Fi-
nale dug back in and got back to even terms
at the finish.
D’honorable One and
Makors Finale earned $18,750
apiece for their efforts.
A 3-year-old Florida-bred
by D’wildcat, D’honorable
One has compiled a 4-0-2
record in six career starts with
earnings of $67,815. The
AuburnHandicapwas his first
stakes victory.
D’Honorable One Dead Heats in Washington
Florida-bredDʼHonorable One (outside)
Florida-bredWild About Tiffany
EMER
ALD
DOW
NSPH
OTO
LIZ
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Fort LoudonJacks or Better Farm, Inc.’s homebred Fort Loudon, already a four-time stakes win-
ner at Calder Casino and Race Course, again dominated a field of overmatched rivals to win
the $75,000Unbridled Stakes by 3¾ lengths while stopping the six-furlong timer in 1:10.59
on Summit Preview Day June 9.
Ridden for the first time in nearly a year by jockey Fernando Jara, Fort Loudon was al-
ways alert through the early stages of the Unbridled, tracking the early leader Florida-bred
Hello Prince from third through an opening quarter-mile that went in :22.
As the sophomore sprinters journeyed down the backstretch, Fort Loudon quickly sprung
to the front, grabbing a lead that he would never relinquish through a half-mile split of
:45.53. The colt then opened up a clear lead on his beaten foes, and coasted under the wire
a comfortable winner.
“He’snot asmature ashe is going tobe,”win-
ning trainer Stanley Gold said. “But right now I
see him gaining weight and getting bigger and
doing everything right, so hopefully we’ll go on
and have a big second half of the year.”
Fort Loudon has now prevailed in six of 13
starts. The son of Journeyman Stud stallion
Awesome of Course has a lifetime bankroll of
$475,485.LIZ
LAM
ONT
PHOT
O
Florida-bred Fort Loudon
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10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
FloridaFOCUS
Turbulent Descent returned to the
races in the $70,000Desert Stormer Hand-
icap at Betfair Hollywood Park Jun. 17 at
six furlongs. It was her first start of the year
and again, she faced Teddy’s Promise,
Switch and Great Hot. Sent off as the fa-
vorite in the Desert Stormer at 3-2, Turbu-
lent Descent would not disappoint her
supporters and avenged her late season
losses to those three foes, again with
David Flores in the saddle.
Like the fans that supported Turbulent
Descent at the betting windows, Flores
too thought confident going into the
Desert Stormer. “She’s been working
very, very well,” Flores said. “The race
came up perfect for us. I was comfort-
able the whole way. The outside post
worked out very well for her. She
showed what she’s made of today. I’m so
confident in her.”
The Desert Stormer started off simi-
lar to the Breeders’ Cup for Flores and
Turbulent Descent as they swerved into
Great Hot at the start. But less ground
was lost and they quickly became com-
fortable stalking pacesetters Izzy Rules
and Mildly Offensive from the outside.
After fractions of :21.92, :44.82 and
:56.63, Turbulent Descent and Izzy
Rules hooked up at the top of the stretch
only to see the former pull away and win
the Desert Stormer by a length and one-
quarter.
After the race Puype was pleased to
see his filly back at the level for which he
had hoped she would return. “You want
to see her come back
to form because she’s
a brilliant filly. Her
campaign took its toll
with four travel trips,”
he said. “Believe me
when I tell you, the
track was very hard at
Santa Anita the day
she ran (La Brea
Stakes Dec. 31). She’s
very partial to syn-
thetic tracks and I’m
just happy to have
her back in form.”
The final time for the six furlongs was
1:09.25.
The two other Grade I winners in the
Desert Stormer failed to fire. Switch,
who captured the 2010 La Brea and
2011 Santa Monica, was fourth, a nose
behind Mildly Offensive, while Teddy’s
Promise, the 2011 La Brea upsetter, was
fifth, defeating only Grade II winner
Great Hot
Florida-bred Turbulent Descent
BENO
IT&
ASSO
CIAT
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OTO
Another Romance LeavesThe Leave Me Alone
With Eclipse Award winnerMusical Romance onthe sidelines awaiting the Grade 1 Princess Rooney,the appropriately namedAnother Romance, owned byLewis Pell, Michael Eigner, and Pinnacle Racing andtrained by Bill Kaplan, emulated her acclaimed stable-mate when scoring a Summit Preview Day victory inthe $75,000 Leave Me Alone Stakes, prevailing by aneck over pacesetter fellow Florida-bred CitizenAdvo-catewhile running the six-furlong distance in 1:11.24.Ridden by Luca Panici, Another Romance was
never aggressive out of the gate, settling quite com-fortably near the back of the field while spying thespeedy Citizen Advocate, who ran on a clear leadthrough opening splits of :21.40 and :44.62.“There was a lot of speed in the race, so I wasn’t
worried too much about the first part,” Panici said.“My filly needs some time to warm up, so I just tookher back and waited.”As the field of sophomore fillies moved through the
turn,AnotherRomancebeganpassing rivals,but the taskahead still appeared herculean as CitizenAdvocate helda five-lengthadvantage inmid-stretch.But asCitizenAd-vocate started to grow weary, Another Romance re-maineddetermined,pulling oneven termswith that rivalin the final yardsbefore edgingpast in the shadowof thewire to prevail.“At the three-eighths I wanted to take the easiest
way so I didn’t lose ground but didn’t ask her to putout too much,” Panici said.“I was able to do that, andthen we she got in the clear, she fired.”“I wasn’t sure we had it until the very end,” Ka-
plan said.“But she showedme that she is as good aswe thought she was in the beginning.”It was four lengths back to Yara in third.
With her Leave MeAlone Stakes victory, An-other Romance improvedher lifetime record tothree wins from 14 starts,with $141,915 in earn-ings. The daughter ofJourneyman Stud stallionSaint Anddan was bred inFlorida by Beverley Tor-tora and Dr.Alice Russell.
Turbulent Descent Rises in Desert
Florida-bredAnother RomanceLI
ZLA
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OTO
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Sent off as the favorite at 5-2 in the Jun.
16 Colonial Turf Cup at Colonial Downs in
New Kent, Va., Turbo Compressor broke
well from post six and had the lead shortly
after the start. Jockey Joe Bravo and Turbo
Compressor galloped around the expansive
Virginia turf course a length ahead of Com-
monweath Turf (G3) winner Humble and
Hungry in second and Fair Grounds Handi-
cap (G3) victor Smart Bid in third. Little
would change in that order as Florida’sTurbo
Compressor and Bravo set slow fractions of
:24.34, :49.78 and 1:14.35 and when they
turned for home, the team again excelled
away from the pack. Smart Bid and Humble
and Hungry fell back to finish fourth and
eighth respectively as
Turbo Compressor hit
the wire a length and
one-quarter ahead of
last year Virginia
Derby (G2) winnerAir
Support in second and
Rahystrada in third.
Final time was 1:55.15
It was third win in
the last five starts
for Turbo Compressor,
who was bred in
Florida by Bridlewood Farm of Ocala and
currently races for owners P and G Stables
and Off the Hook Partners LLC of New
York City. Turbo Compressor is also a grad-
uate of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company
2010April Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Train-
ing, where he sold for $22,000. Todd
Pletcher trains Turbo Compressor.
The bay son of Halo’s Image has now
won six of 13 career starts with additional
stakes win in the $150,000 Car G. Rose
Classic Handicap at Calder and the $76,000
Curlin Stakes at Saratoga, both last year.
The $282,000 winner’s check in the Colo-
nial will boost the career earnings of Turbo
Compressor to $620,960. As the favorite,
Turbo Compressor paid $7.00 for a $2 win
ticket and $4.40 to place and $4.00 to show.
Air Support paid $5.20 and $3.20. The $2
exacta paid $37.00.
Wicked Mizz joined a slew of other
Florida-breds to hit the winner’s circle on
the weekend of June 9, taking the $75,500
Go For Wand Stakes at Delaware Park in
Willmington, Del., Saturday. Bred in
Florida by Yvonne Cordova and Lolita
Raquiza’sY-Lo Racing Stable of Lancaster,
Ca., Wicked Mizz was making only her
fourth career start and trying for her sec-
ond win. Her first win came against
maiden special weight company at Parx
Racing in February.
In her previous start on Mar. 14 at
Aqueduct, Wicked Mizz set the pace but
could only manage a runner-up perform-
ance behind winner Zucchini Flower in the
$75,000 Limit Stakes. This time the 3-year-
old filly kept off the early pace-setters who
set fractions of :23.53, :47.39 and 1:12.06
but stayed close enough to take the lead
after six furlongs of the one mile and 70-
yard race. In the last quarter-mile down the
stretch, the grey/roan daughter of Mizzen
Mast drew clear of second-place finisher
Ageless to win by two and one-quarter
lengths with jockey Jeremy Rose aboard.
Wicked Mizz is trained by Anthony
Dutrow for Green Lantern Stables LLC of
Versailles, Ky. The final time of the race
was 1:42.32.
Let go as the sixth choice in the wager-
ing with 7-1 odds, Wicked Mizz paid
$16.20, $9.40 and $4.80 whileAgeless paid
$7.00 and $4.40. And Why Not finished
third and paid $4.20 to show.The $1 exacta
returned a nice $73.10 as 3-1 favorite Lady
Cohiba finished out of the money.
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 11
It’s Me Mom Wins Satin and LaceAfter a disappointing fifth-place in the Skipat Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on the
Preakness undercard in May, the popular Florida-bred mare It’s Me Mom bounced back
strong to win the $100,000 Satin and Lace Stakes at Prisque Isle Downs Jun. 19.
Sent right to the lead by jockey Willie Martinez, It’s Me Mom pulled away from the
field down the backstretch before going on to win the 51⁄2 furlong race by three and one-
half lengths. Sweet Cassiopeia
was second ahead of Dr. Dia-
monds Prize in Third.
It’s Me Mom was timed in
1:03.14 over the Tapeta surface
and returned $5.40 to win.
It’s Me Mom was bred in
the Sunshine State by Thomas
Bosch and Jean M. Bosch of
Holiday Florida and she is by
the stallion Put It Back, who
stands at Bridlewood Farm in
Ocala, Florida.
Wicked in the WandIn Delaware
Florida-bred Turbo Compressor
COAD
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Turbo Compressor
Florida-bred Itʼs Me Mom
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12 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
FloridaFOCUS Broken DreamsBred in Florida by her owner,
Leonard Lavin’s Glen Hill Farm in Ocala
of which Craig Bernick is President and
CEO, Broken Dreams went right to the
front from post seven in the $93,110 Os-
unitas Stakes at Del Mar Jul. 21, was
sent directly to the rail by jockey Garrett
Gomez and began to
set a moderate but
pressured pace of
:24.11, :48.14 and
1:11.78 with 3-1
choice Halo Dolly
racing just to her out-
side. Sent off as the
fifth choice at 7-1 in
the field of eight, few
expected Broken
Dreams to maintain
the lead but she
fought off Halo
Dolly and the late
charge of 2-1 favorite Byrony to win by
a half-length. Byrony got up for second
but by only a nose ahead of Halo Dolly
in third. Florida-bred Briecat was
fourth. Final time for the 11⁄16 mile Os-
unitas on grass was 1:41.71.
Trained by Thomas F. Proctor, Bro-
ken Dreams was winning for the first
time since taking the Senator Ken
Maddy Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita in
September. Since then she had finished
13th in the Breeders’ Cup Lady’s Turf
Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs in No-
vember. However, in three previous
races this year Broken Dreams has
shown steady improvement, finishing
sixth in the $70,000 Lady’s Turf Sprint
at Gulfstream Park in March before a
fifth in the $75,000 Great Lady M at
Hollywood in May. In her last race,
Broken Dreams tried to go wire-to-
wire in the $72,000 Redondo Beach
Stakes at Hollywood Jun. 10, but was
caught in the stretch and finished a
close fourth, beaten just more than two
lengths.
Good LordAnother Florida-bred took at stakes race at Charles Town Race Course Jun. 30 when Good Lord got
the best of favorite Bandbox to win the $100,000Wild andWonderful Stakes at theWest Virginia track.Those two broke on top in the seven furlongWild andWonderful with Good Lord getting to the rail and
maintaining the lead for most of the way under a half-mile pace in :46.43.At the top of the stretch,Band-box came up on Good Lord and looked to make a challenge, but the Good Lord was able to accelerateagain and go onto a length and one-quarter victory, stopping the clock in a course record time of 1:22.68.
Bred in Florida by Marilyn Fazio Seltzer of Golden Beach, Good Lord is by Greatness,who stands atStonewall Farm Ocala.
Florida’s Callmethesqueeze closed the
lid on a big day for Florida-breds at Calder
Casino and Race Course Jul. 7 bywinning the
$100,000 HollywoodWildcat Stakes at seven
and one-half furlongs for older horses.
Bred in Florida by Adena Springs and
owner Gary Aiken of Dayton, Oh., Call-
methesqueeze broke well under jockey
Jose Alvarez then retreated back to fifth
while Pleasant Heiress and Catch That Kit-
ten set fractions of :23.00, :45.11 and
1:09.39. A half-mile from the finish Al-
varez began to move on Callmethesqueeze
and circled the field around the far turn to
get the lead from Catch That Kitten just as
they approached the eighth pole. At that
point Callmethesqueeze began to pull away
and eventually won by six lengths over a
fast closing Brinca in second and Trip for
A.J. in third. Brinca had made a good run
to get up for second after breaking slow
then being steadied at the start of the Hol-
lywoodWildcat. Catch That Kitten hung on
to finish fourth. Pleasant Heiress tired to
finish last in the field of
nine and 8-5 favorite
Speak Easy Gal was
eighth. Final running
time in the Hollywood
Wildcat was 1:27.95.
Trained by Manuel
Azpura, Callmethesqueeze
was winning her sixth ca-
reer race from 18 starts
with four seconds and a
third. It was the third
stakes victory for Call-
methesqueeze who had
previouslywon the $74,000
Judy’s Red Shoes Stakes in September
and the $55,000 Sweet-
trickydancer Stakes on
the Summit of Speed un-
dercard last year in July,
both at Calder. The bay
filly by Awesome Again
now has a career bankroll
of $268,409.
Callmethesqueeze re-
turned $11.80 on a $2 win
ticket and $5.80 to place
and $3.60 to show. Brinca
paid $14.60 and $7.80
while Trip for A.J. paid
$3.40 to show. The $2 ex-COAD
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Callmethesqueeze Keeps Travelin’ at Calder
Florida-bredCallmethesqueeze
continues on pages 57, 59
Florida-bredBroken Dreams
BENO
IT&
ASSO
CIAT
ESPH
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14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 15
By MICHAEL COMPTON
Joe and Phyllis Bryant and their daughter Toni
Jones are no strangers to success. Their family-
owned Brylynn Farm has produced its share of
stakes winners through the years, but on June 30, the
Central Florida breeding operation recorded a new
milestone as horses bred by Brylynn—Jeranimo and
Circle Unbroken—each notched graded stakes wins
on the same day.
Jeranimo (at left in red silks) roared from off
the pace to win the prestigious Shoemaker Mile
Stakes (G1) on turf at Betfair Hollywood Park a lit-
tle after 5 p.m. eastern time. Less than four hours
later, Circle Unbroken drove to a one-length score in
the Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) under the lights at
Churchill Downs.
Toni Jones, Joe and Phyllis’ daughter, said she
knew the horses were running that day, but hadn’t
even thought about both of them possibly winning
their respective races.
“That was the first time that happened to us,”
said Jones. “What a great feeling. It was one of those
especially lucky days. I’ll never forget it.”
Jeranimo, owned by B.J. Wright and trained by
Michael Pender, notched his first stakes victory of
the season in the Shoemaker. Considered among the
top tier of West Coast turf milers even before the
Shoemaker, Jeranimo had finished second in the
San Francisco Mile (G3) at Golden Gate Fields in
his previous start. He finished fourth, beaten less
than two lengths in the Kilroe Mile (G1) at Santa
Anita in March and was second in the San Gabriel
Stakes (G2) in January to begin his 2012 campaign.
In the Shoemaker, Jeranimo trailed for most of
the trip. He got quick early fractions to chase cour-
Rare Double graded stakes winsfor Central Florida’s Brylynn Farm
BENO
IT&A
SSOC
IATES
PHOT
O
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tesy of fellow Sunshine State product Little Mike, who
carved out splits of :23.59, :46.40 and 1:09.81 for six fur-
longs in hisWest Coast debut for trainer Dale Romans.
Fast fractions were the only help Jeranimo and jockey
Garrett Gomez needed. The recipient of a patient ride
from Gomez, Jeranimo simply engulfed the leaders in
deep stretch, crossing the wire 1 ¼ lengths in front of
Suggestive Boy (ARG) and a game Little Mike in third.
Jeranimo covered the one-mile distance in 1:33.97.
“This is a hard trying horse,” said Gomez. “He and I
get along pretty well.We had a good trip.We just wound
him up and made one little late run with him. It was the
right kind of race to do that. He’s been training really
well. He actually ran a winning race last time and just
had a little bad luck. I just let him find himself early on
in the race and he came home like I thought he would.’’
Jeranimo became Florida’s latest millionaire with the
triumph. The $180,000 winner’s share of the $300,000
purse boosted Jeranimo’s career bankroll to $1,068,400.
As a Breeders’Cup “Win andYou’re In” race, the Shoe-
maker score gave Jeranimo an automatic berth in the
Breeders’Cup Mile (G1) Nov. 3 at SantaAnita.
Owner B.J. Wright was thrilled following the Shoe-
maker and he is excited about his charge’s prospects in
the Breeders’Cup. “We have the home-field advantage
now,” Wright said. “And we have Gomez. It can’t get
much better than that.
“He’s just a great horse,” Wright added. “He’s had
some rides where the jockey didn’t
know him well, but Garrett seems
to ride him reallywell.We’re happy
with this jockey.”
Jeranimo, a son of Congaree—
Jera, by Jeblar, finished 7th in last
year’s Breeders’CupMile, beaten
5 ¾ lengths by Court Vision at
Churchill Downs. Prior to the
Breeders’Cup, Jeranimo captured
the Oak Tree Mile (G2) over the
same course that will host this
year’s Breeders’Cup Mile.
Two-year-old colt Circle Unbroken held off a late
charge from Positively to win the 111th running of the
BashfordManor Stakes, a key stakes race early in the sea-
son for promising juveniles. CircleUnbroken ran six fur-
longs in 1:11.71 and was ridden by Jon Court for trainer
Gary Simms.
The victory proved especially sweet for Simms, who
has battledmultiplemyeloma formore than two years. It
gave Simms a sweep of Churchill Downs’graded stakes
races for 2-year-olds. A week earlier, he had saddled
Blueyesintherein to a win in the
Debutante Stakes (G3) for fillies.
Owned by Travis MorgesonV
LLC, Circle Unbroken is named
for Simms’close knit friends who
have been a support systemduring
his multiple myeloma fight. Circle Unbroken earned
$66,034 for the win and remained perfect in two lifetime
starts. He entered the Bashford Manor off an impressive
maiden score on June 17 at Churchill Downs.
The colt, by BrokenVow—Baldomera, by Doneraile
Court, was purchased at last year’s Keeneland Septem-
berYearling Sale for $92,000.
“It’s the secondmost I’ve ever paid for a horse,” Simms
said. “I just loved the horse. I usually look for bargains,
but therewas just something about this horse. He’s almost
16 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
“That was a big day for us.My parents have seen theirhorses in the Breeders’Cup,
and that’s what this game is allabout. I’m thrilled for my par-ents. They have put so much
into the business. I’m glad thatthey are able to experience this
kind of success.”—Joe and Phyllis Bryant’sdaughter Toni Jones
Brylynn Farm
PALM
ERPH
OTO
BrylynnFarm.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 10:47 AM Page 16
a perfect specimen as far as conformation goes. He has a
few little flaws, but notmany. He had the perfect eye, atti-
tude, and walk. He had everything I like in a horse.”
Jeranimo and Circle Unbroken are the latest in a
string of top-class stakes horses produced by the Bryants
who acquired the Brylynn property in 1983 and opened
the farm a couple of years later. Some of the other recent
Florida-bred stakes winners to hail from the 100-acre
property include Aikenite and Teaks North. In fact,
Aikenite, Teaks North and Jeranimo all started on last
year’s Breeders’Cup program at Churchill Downs.
“That was a big day for us,” said Jones. “My parents
have seen their horses in the Breeders’ Cup, and that’s
what this game is all about. It seems like it has taken for-
ever, but I am so happy that it is happening now and they
are able to see it all come around. I’m thrilled for my
parents. They have put so much into the business. I’m
glad that they are able to experience this kind of success.
“My father, at age 82, is still a big part of the farm,”
Jones added. “He gets here at 7 a.m. and doesn’t leave
until the last horse is done for the day. I think he out-
works all of us. It’s great to have him here.”
The family sold Jera, Jeranimo’s dam, last November
but still owns, Baldomera, the dam of Circle Unbroken.
Having a precocious juvenile representing the farm
who is undefeated atChurchillDowns seems like a license
to dream. Jones admits the thought crosses her mind.
“I have dreamed about this my entire life,” Jones said.
“Growing up in the horse business you always think of
winning stakes races.We have been lucky in the past, so
absolutely having a horse like Circle Unbroken allows us
to dream a little.” �
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 17
Circle Unbroken on hisway to a one-lengthvictory in the BashfordManor Stakes (G3)under the lights atChurchill Downs.
BrylynnFarm.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 10:47 AM Page 17
Florida...the Best State for Business
FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
Lonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • [email protected]
has a leg upon the
competition
Florida...
LegUp.qxd:Layout 1 7/10/12 12:52 PM Page 1
From coast to coast, Florida’s tax-friendly,pro-business environment is poised and ready to attractnew companies and create new employment opportunities.
• No personal state income tax.• No individual capital gains tax.• National leader in veterinary and equine research.• Ranked third in the U.S. for number of horses and size of horse industry.• Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder.• Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt.• Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property tax breaksfor Florida horse farms.
• No tax on stallion seasons.• Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showingand business opportunities.
FLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTUREAND CONSUMER SERVICESAdam H. Putnam, Commissioner 850-617-7341 • Fax 850-617-7331e-mail: [email protected] S. Calhoun • 416 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399 www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse
LegUp.qxd:Layout 1 7/10/12 12:53 PM Page 2
20 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
JOE
DIO
RIO
PH
OTO
S
RiceHorseStables.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 10:53 AM Page 20
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 21
By MICHAEL COMPTON
Asfar as industry pedigrees go, they don’t come
muchmore established than Brandon Rice and
Alexandra de Meric of RiceHorse Stables.
Both Rice and de Meric have deep roots in Florida’s
Thoroughbred business. Brandon, son of Bryan and
Holley Rice of Woodside Ranch and a grandson of
Clyde and Jean Rice, is a third-generation horseman.
Alexandra, better known as Ali, is a daughter of Nick
and Jacqui de Meric of Manuden Farm.
The young couple is odds-on to follow in the large
footsteps of their respective families. Rice and deMeric
knew each other as youngsters, but neither one ever
imagined the life they have together these days.
“Both of us grew up in Ocala. Ali was raised on the
west side of town and I was raised on the east side,” said
Rice. “As kids thosewere very different worlds.The sales
ground at OBSwas our onlymeeting place. Referring to
me, her dad always said therewas a flake of haywith legs
walking their shedrow. My father always admired the
cute little de Meric girl running around barn 12.
“In high school, I asked her out on a date,” Brandon
added. “She was involved in drama, so I went to her
school plays and she went to my football games. We
were supportive of each other. Eventually, things would
fizzle out for no other reason than distance. It was a 45-
minute drive to her place.”
Rice and de Meric have successfully bridged the dis-
tance gap that kept them separated formuch of their child-
hood. Married at Manuden Farm in June, Brandon and
Ali have refurbished a home on Wood-
sideRanch near Ft.McCoy and in June atOBSconsigned
under the RiceHorse Stables banner for the first time.
“It’s so natural for us,” said deMeric, who graduated
from the University ofTampa. “We grew up in this busi-
ness. It’s a natural progression.”
Rice, a graduate of Florida State University and the
Darley Flying Start program, concurs.
“We both had invested in horses for years with our
families,” he said. “The decision to go into business to-
gether just sounded like a fun endeavor.”
Rice and de Meric launched their own pinhooking
operation with a $12,000 budget in 2009.They acquired
two yearlings—a Limehouse colt and a filly by During.
Those initial two horses sold the following year at OBS
with the Limehouse colt bringing $200,000 from Bob
Feld, agent for Kevin Plank’s Sagamore Farm. The colt,
a $7,000 purchase at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky
Fall Yearling Sale, worked a quarter in :20 4/5 at the
OBS preview as a juvenile.
“We made all the decisions every step of the way,”
said deMeric. “His good breeze was so liberating. Peo-
ple came up to us and told us what a good job we did
with him. It was very gratifying. We had offers before
the sale, but we wanted to give everyone a shot and put
him through the ring. My Mom and Dad had cham-
pagne at the barn at the end of the day. It was a big mo-
ment.We won’t forget it.”
Named Humble and Hungry, the colt went on to win
the Commonwealth Turf Stakes (G3) at Churchill
Newlyweds Brandon Rice and Alexandra de Meric haveenjoyed early success under their new RiceHorse Stables banner
RiceHorseStables.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 10:53 AM Page 21
Downs last November in Sagamore’s colors. He also fin-
ished third in the Hill Prince Stakes (G3) at Belmont
Park and the Hall of Fame Stakes (G2) at Saratoga and
second in this year’s Dixie Stakes (G2) at Pimlico.
“Wegrewup in this business,” said deMeric. “Forme,
five months out of college we sold a horse for $200,000.
I wanted to call all of my college professors. My papers
and speeches in college were about
the horse business. Everyone’s re-
sponse was always ‘really?’ So,
after Humble and Hungry sold, I
wanted to call themall and say ‘yes,
the horse business.’”
Selling a homerun horse like
Humble and Hungry right off the
bat has not changed the way Rice
anddeMeric approach the business.
“Both sets of parents wanted us
to understand the business early
on,” said Rice. “Ali and I still buy horses modestly. We
launched our operation understanding the value of a dol-
lar from the very beginning thanks to our parents. We
knowwhat it’s like to struggle to pay the feed bills.”
DeMeric believes the sojourn through their first pub-
lic offering proved to be a tremendous learning experience.
“It wasmake or break for us by the timewe got to the
sale,” she said. “We literally had nomoney left. It was all
hay, oats and water with our horses.”
Their family names and reputations mean the world
to them. Rice and de Meric are eager to live up to the
responsibility entrusted with being part of the next
generation but are equally excited about promoting
their own sense of identity.
“Both of us grew up around
horses, galloping and breaking
horses,” said Rice. “Our parents
made this shoe to fit us both. Our
parents knew they loved the horse
business instantly. They wanted us
to know the industry completely
and then encouraged us to explore
on our own.We both got away from
it and were introduced to other
things in finance and the business
world. Being away,we realized how
muchwe love and appreciate this lifestyle.There is some-
thing special about the horse business.”
Attitudes and ideals are often passed down from one
generation to the next. That is certainly the case with
valuable practices and belief systems associated with
purchasing young Thoroughbreds. For Rice and de
Meric, blending their respective backgrounds has proved
22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
“It can be a challenge towork with your spouse. We’reboth very talented. We some-times have different ideas ofhow to get from point A topoint B. As good as we are
individually we are 10 timesbetter together.”—Alexandra de Meric
RiceHorseSTABLES
For Rice and de Meric,blending their respec-tive backgrounds has
proved most challeng-ing in the yearlingselection process.
RiceHorseStables.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 10:54 AM Page 22
most challenging in the yearling selection process.
“It was quite an education to enter a new camp and
a new way of thinking,” admitted de Meric. “You have
your own methods. My dad taught me how to look at
horses. Then I crossed over into the Rice camp and it
was a very different system. It has been a lot to learn but
I think it makes us better.
“It’s not hard to find horses we love,” she added.” It’s
hard to find horses that meet our budget constraints and
can provide us the value we are looking for. Once they
are here with us on the farm, that’s the easy part. Settling
onwhich horses to choose is the hard part. For every one
we buy, we’ve done a lot of leg work on 60 others.
“It can be a challenge to work with your spouse,”
de Meric added. “We’re both very talented.We some-
times have different ideas of how to get from point A
to point B. As good as we are individually we are 10
times better together.”
Rice takes a similar view of managing their working
relationship.
“Our business either thrives or sinks with the horses
we choose,” he said. “This has been the biggest thing to
learn to work together.We blendwhat we both know and
make the best decisions we can.
“One of the finer lessons we have learned is you can’t
lose respect for each other,” he added. “I know Ali is
extremely good at showing horses at the sales. She has
done it for numerous operations all around the world. I
always need to see her in her best light there. Right from
the very beginning, we have had disputes and dis-
agreements, but we can gladly say we are stronger
three years in. We’re getting better. The relationship
and the business are going the right way.”
Both Rice and deMeric are quick to give credit
to their parents.
“If it wasn’t for our parents stressing the im-
portance of the purchasing process to us and
honing our eyes, it would have
been hopeless to have merged
as two novices,” Rice said.
“Plus, we do our home-
work. From the first sale of
the year to the last horse in
the last sale, you can find
those horses that will de-
velop.We are always looking.”
Buyers of two-year-olds are in
search of future winners. Owners with horses in
training want the same thing. Rice and de Meric ex-
pect to deliver much more. Among the clients they
have worked with are trainer Ken McPeek and New
Mission Bloodstock.
RiceHorseStables.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 10:54 AM Page 23
“The mental burden of your financial future is right in
front of you in this business and maintaining client rela-
tionships can be a lot of pressure,” said Rice. “We’re a
youngbusinesswithonly somanyclients. It’s tough tohave
bad news. Some horses just don’t make it to the level of
everyone’s aspirations. We wear that pressure quite a
bit. When a horse is sore we feel that emotionally.”
In July, He’s So Fine, a 2-year-old colt by Purge
that Rice and de Meric broke and trained for McPeek,
captured his career debut at Belmont Park. In the col-
ors of Susan McPeek’s Magdalena Racing, the chest-
nut colt won that five-furlong event impressively by
3¾ lengths after stalking the early pace.
“He’s a nice horse,” Rice said of He’s So Fine.
“He’s one that we were thinking would be a Saratoga-
type horse. We’re anxious to see what he becomes.”
Jim McCartan and Willie Browne, successful pin-
hookers in Europe, are among the principals in New
Mission Bloodstock.
“It’s easy to work for clients that know a good
horse and are able to supply our stable with nice
horses,” Rice said of their relationship with NewMis-
sion Bloodstock.
“Two years ago they bought at Keeneland Septem-
ber and wanted a yearling prospect for their endeavor in
the U.S,” he said. “They picked out a War Front filly
for $80,000 and we sold it for $275,000 last year at
OBSApril. It was our first client horse and first client
24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
RiceHorseSTABLES
Rice (above rightand opposite page)
and de Meric areoptimistic and confident
about engineering abusiness future.
RiceHorseStables.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 10:54 AM Page 24
sale horse as well. They came back the following year
and this time they asked for our opinion and our short
list. They purchased a Malibu Moon from our list for
$85,000.We sold that one at OBS in June for $145,000.
It wasn’t as wildly successful as theWar Front. He was
a May foal and needed a little time. Some insignificant
issues led to him selling in June. It was right to wait for
him. He needed time and we did right by the horse. He
was good looking and ready to go.”
Rice and de Meric’s international experience and
connections abroad propel their business beyond the
borders of Ocala. Rice was introduced to the horse
business in other countries through Darley’s Flying
Start Thoroughbred Management program where he
studied with industry professionals in Ireland, Eng-
land, Australia, New Zealand and Dubai. Back at
home in the U.S., he worked for trainers D. Wayne
Lukas and Todd Pletcher, as well as McPeek.
De Meric spent summers galloping horses in Japan
from 2007-2010 and has also worked in England,
Ireland, France, Australia and New Zealand. She
has worked with Pat Costello at Paramount Sales,
Francis and BarbaraVanlangendonck of Summer-
field Sales, TedVoute, Dr. Masataki Iida of Chiy-
oda Farm and Arthur Hancock at Stone Farm.
“We’re both well-traveled, “Rice said. “It has
really helped us.We understand the markets peo-
ple are coming from and training techniques and
how it relates to us. It helps us better serve them.”
With their first offering as RiceHorse Sta-
bles in the books and training graduates win-
ning on the racetrack, Rice and de Meric are
optimistic and confident about engineering
a business future filled with
possibilities.
“We are so passionate about
what we do,” said de Meric. “We
could wear suits, sit in large towers
all day and visit each other on week-
ends, but the farm is what we both love.We ap-
preciate the space, the freedom, the horses. This is the
life we want. It is what we know. It is natural to us.
Traffic congestion and stiff collars is not us. Ocala is
our home.
“To remain humble and hungry is important to
us,” she added. “We want to stay within our bounds.
We want to take calculated risks and keep moving
forward.”
With their disciplined approach to the industry,
discerning eyes for talented prospects and a sup-
portive family behind them, Rice and de Meric’s
star is certain to continue its rise. �
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 25
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By BROCK SHERIDAN
Florida-bred Ron the Greek placed
himself firmly among the early lead-
ers in the race for Horse of theYear by
winning his second Grade 1 stake of 2012 in the
$437,200 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs.
Another milestone accomplished by Ron the Greek in
winning the 11⁄8 mile race on the main track is that the
$262,932 winner’s check pushed his career earnings to
$1,112,597, allowing him to join the club of Florida-
bred millionaires.
Bred in Florida by Jack T. Hammer of Miami
Beach, Ron the Greek is still co-owned by Hammer
with Nils Brous’ Brous Stable of NewYork City and
Wachtel Stable owned byAdamWachtel of Briarcliff
Manor N.Y. Ron the Greek is by the Florida stallion Full
Mandate, who currently stands at Hartley/DeRenzo
Thoroughbreds in Ocala.
The victory was also significant for Ron the Greek’s
trainer, Hall of Famer Bill Mott. One race earlier, the
all-time leading trainer at Churchill Downs won the
Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap presented by Finlandia
Vodka with Besilu Stables’ Royal Delta, the champion
3-year-old filly of 2011.With
Ron theGreek,Mott notched
his 664th career win at
Churchill Downs, but per-
haps more notable was that it
was his first win in the
Stephen Foster, the meet’s
marquee race for older horses on the main track.
The Stephen Foster win also provides Ron the Greek
with an automatic berth in the $5million Breeders’Cup
Classic (G1) to be run at Santa Anita in California in
November.
After the race, winning jockey Jose Lezcano spoke of
the win as relatively effortless. “Everything went right
for me tonight,” Lezcano said. “The whole way I saw a
hole on the rail and I thought I could get through. I asked
and he gave me a great run.”
Lezcanomay have had confidence, but he had to over-
come some significant traffic early and never got the lead
until the final strides of the Foster. Ron the Greek broke
well frompost five but just as the field approached the fin-
ish line for the first time, Wise Dan from the inside and
Mission Impazible from theout - squeezed together in front
of Ron the Greek, forcing Lezcano to stand up and back
Ron the Greek out of the trouble.While Lone Star Derby
(G3) winner Nates Mineshaft was setting the early pace
with honest fractions of :23.66, :47.27 and 1:10.95, Ron
the Greek was more than eight lengths behind with only
two horses beat most of the way down the back stretch.
Around the far turn, it appearedRon theGreekwas still
far from a possible impact in the Foster, althoughmoving
on the rail at this time, he was still nine lengths behind
26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
“We started on [Ron the Greek]pretty early, so we’ll probably give hima break now and point for the Jockey
Club Gold Cup (G1) and then theBreeders’Cup Classic.”—trainer Bill Mott
Florida-bred Ron the Greekkeeps notching up milestones
NumerRonTheGreek_StephenFoster.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 9:15 AM Page 26
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 27
Nates Mineshaft, now leading by some two lengths over
favoriteWise Dan. But the long Churchill Downs stretch
was still left, althoughNatesMineshaft looked strong until
just inside the eighth-pole.At that point, the race was still
between Nates Mineshaft and Wise Dan but by the time
they reached the sixteenth-mile marker, Ron the Greek
wasmaking a big run along the rail.The three hit thewire
together with Ron the Greek a neck in front ofWise Dan
in second andNatesMineshaft in third, another three-quar-
ters of a length back. Final time was 1:50.51.
After the race, Mott attributed the victory to the
tempo of the race and the patience of his rider. “There
was a good pace in here,” Mott said. “More than there
was in the Oaklawn Handicap. Jose (Lezcano) did a
great job and was able to find a seam on the rail.”
In his last start, Ron the Greek was second behind
Alternation in the Oaklawn Handicap (G2) inArkansas
April 14. Alternation finished fifth behind Rogue Ro-
mance in fourth in the Foster. Ron the Greek started the
year finishing second to fellow Florida-bred Mucho
MachoMan in the $400,000 Sunshine Millions Classic
at Gulfstream Park Jan. 28. But it is the win in the Santa
Anita Handicap (G1) Mar. 3 that Mott feels will be key
for Ron the Greek later in the year.
“Having won at 10 furlongs at Santa Anita, [The
Breeders’CupClassic invitewith the Foster]was certainly
on our minds,” Mott continued. “We started on [Ron the
Greek] pretty early, so we’ll probably give him a break
now and point for the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and
then the Breeders’CupClassic. Hemight have a race be-
fore the Gold Cup, but I’m not sure where it would be.”
Ron the Greek was let go at 9-1 odds in the Foster
and returned $20.80, $6.40 and $5.40.With odds-on fa-
voriteWise Dan, the exacta still paid a nice $57.20.�
PALM
ERPH
OTO
Mileton ess
Winning the StephenFoster increased Ronthe Greekʼs earningsto $1,112,597.
ousRonTheGreek_StephenFoster.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/30/12 3:58 PM Page 27
28 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 29
By BROCK SHERIDAN
There is the Gator nation,
the Seminole nation,
Dolphins nation and
many more like them that help
make up the fanatical sports
scene that is Florida. Then there is the
Grade 1 United Nations Stakes at
Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New
Jersey – another example of Florida
sports dominance.
Since Florida-bred Presious
Passion won his two consecu-
tive United Nations Stakes in
2008-’09; with the victory by
Florida’s Turbo Compressor Jun. 7
and Teaks North winning the race
last year, Florida-breds have now
won four of the last five runnings
of the $500,000, 13⁄8 mile turf event.
Like Presious Passion before him,
Turbo Compressor broke on top and
jockey Joe Bravo quickly put him on
the lead. Just as soon as they got to
the front, they began to slow it
down considerably as they set
pedestrian-like fractions of :25.14,
:49.97 and 1:15.08 while opening
Turbo Compressorin the lead at the
top of the stretch inthe United nations
Stakes.
BIL
LD
EN
VE
R/E
QU
IPH
OTO
S
TurboCompressor.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 11:16 AM Page 29
up approimately two-lengths on the field on seven.
Around the far turn, Freud’s Honor tried to challenge but
at the top of the stretch, Turbo Compressor had sprinted
away and again had two-lengths on the vanguard turning
for home. Freud’sHonor fell back butAir Support andAl
Khalil made up the next wave of challengers but never
got closer than the final winning margin of a length and
three-quarters. Final time for the 13⁄8 miles was 2:12.88.
“He really flew home,” winning trainer Todd
Pletcher said. “He was able to lay down the fractions
and that was just what we were looking for. He still
came home in 22 [seconds] and change and that’s hard
to do at a mile and three eighths. This horse is versatile;
he’s won from one mile to a mile and three eighths, so
we have a lot of options for him.”
It was the second consecutive stake won by Pletcher
and Bravo, who had taken the $200,000Monmouth Cup
Stakes (G2) at the New Jersey track a race earlier with
Rule. Florida-bred Flat Out was second in that race.
Turbo Compressor, fresh off a win in the Colonial
Cup three weeks ago, earned his seventh victory in 14
starts in the U.N. The $300,000 winner’s share of the
purse boosted his lifetime bankroll to $920,960 for
owners P and G Stable & Off the Hook LLC of New
York City. The United Nations, a Breeders’ Cup ‘Win
andYou’re In’ race, provided Turbo Compressor with
a free pass to the $3 million Breeders’ Cup Turf at
SantaAnita on Nov. 3. Turbo Compressor was bred in
Florida by Bridlewood Farm of Ocala and is also a
graduate of the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company 2010
April Sale of Two-Year-Olds in Training where he sold
for $22,000. �
30 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
Joe Applebaum, NerinaMorales and Hernando
Gutierrez of the P and GStable celebrate the Win
And Your In, Breeders'Cup Challenge Victory of
Turbo Compressor withjockey Joe Bravo, aftercapturing top honors in
the $500,000 United Na-tions Stakes.
“He really flew home. He was able tolay down the fractions and that was justwhat we were looking for. This horse isversatile; he’s won from one mile to a
mile and three eighths, so we have a lotof options for him.”— trainer Todd Pletcher
TurboNation
TurboCompressor.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 11:17 AM Page 30
Call: 352.732.8858
www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse
HitYourMark.qxd:Layout 1 6/13/11 2:54 PM Page 1
32 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 33
By BROCK SHERIDAN
Musical Romance had several scores to settle in the $400,000 Princess
Rooney Handicap (G1) at Calder Casino and Race Course Saturday
afternoon. Since winning the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and
Mare Sprint (G1) at Churchill Downs in November and subsequently being named
NorthAmerican champion female sprinter of 2011 and Florida-bred Horse of the
Year, the now 5-year-old mare has won just one of four starts – that being the
Grade 2 Inside Information Stakes at Gulfstream Park in March.
The Princess Rooney was the basis of a thorn that had also been in the craw
of team Musical Romance – at least jockey Juan Leyva. It was not the 28th run-
ning of the race Saturday, but the 27th running of the Princess Rooney last year
that had left a bad taste in his mouth, because it was last year when they lost the
Princess Rooney by a neck to Sassy Sage. It wasn’t the only loss of the year for
Musical Romance who fact won five of 14 of her starts last year. It wasn’t even
their only loss at their home base of Calder. But the Princess Rooney is the only
grade 1 race at the Miami Gardens, Fla., track and Leyva thought Musical Ro-
mance deserved it.
In fact, several others wanted the title for their local heroine too as Musical
Romance went to the post in Saturday’s Princess Rooney as the favorite at just
over even money. And she did not disappoint.
Bred in Florida by Ocala Stud, Musical Romance ran along the rail and settled
for stalking the pace set by Florida-bred Golden Mystery, who was some two
lengths ahead ofWildAboutTiffany, yet another Florida-bred in the PrincessRooney,
as they went through fast fractions of :21.80, :45.10 and :57.81. Around the far
turn, jockey Juan Leyva tookMusical Romance to the outside and captured Golden
Mystery inside the final 220 yards. Late running Nicole H rallied on the outside,
Musical Romance makes hermove at the top of the stretchin the G1 Princess RooneyHandicap at CalderRace Course
COAD
YPH
OTOS
North American champion female sprinter,Musical Romance, wins the Princess Rooney
PrincessRooney_MusicalRomance.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 9:23 AM Page 33
but Musical Romance was not to be denied again in
the Princess Rooney and went on to win by a half-
length over her late challenger. Nakano also rallied
to finish third, another two and three-quarters
lengths behind Nicole H.
“That was a really painful loss, missing by a
head last year,” Leyva said following Saturday’s
race. “It stuck with me all this time because I
know she should have won, and because we lost
the race here at Calder, on our home track. So it
feels so great right now, to win this race today. This
was sweet redemption.”
The Princess Rooney was the first win since the
Inside Information for Musical Romance who had
finished fourth in the Madison Stakes (G1) at
Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Ky., in April
and second in the Humana Distaff (G1) at Churchill
Downs in Louisville, Ky., on May 5 – both races
won by Groupie Doll. It was also her 11th career
victory from 38 career starts and the $233,120 win-
ner’s check increased Musical Romance’s lifetime
earnings to $1,627,695.
“It didn’t bother me like it did Juan,” trainer Bill
Kaplan said of the 2011 defeat in the Princess
Rooney. “I think that’s because he was on the horse,
he did everything right, and he just got beat. But
after the race, I told Juan to forget about it; she ran
a great race that day, and had she seen Sassy Image,
she would have dug in and did like she did today
when holding that other horse [Nicole H] off.
“So there was no vindication for me today. It was
just a great race, and we were able to keep her on the
road to the Breeders’ Cup.”
Kaplan indicated that Musical Romance’s path to
this year’s Breeders’ Cup could include a start in the
Grade 1 Ballerina at Saratoga on August 24 or the
Grade 2 Presque Isle Masters, a race she won in 2011,
at Presque Isle Downs on September 8.
Musical Romance returned $4.20, $2.80, and
$2.60 for the win. Nicole H paid $3.60 and $4.00 for
second, while Nakano returned $8.00 when running
on late for third. Golden Mystery faded to seventh
while Wild About Tiffany was ninth. �
34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
RutherfordMulhall, P.A.Our legal services to the equine industry include:•Sale and purchase of equestrian businesses, farms and horses
•Litigation involving equine related matters•Tax and business structuring advice
•Preparation of partnership and syndication agreements•Preparation of training and boarding agreements
•Banking and finance specific to farm and equine assets•Estate planning and probate•Bankruptcy and related issues
Please contact:
DavidA.McKibbin, Esq.Ocala office
118 S.W. Fort King Street • Ocala, FL 34478Boca Raton Office
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Phone: 1-800-741-1600•Cell: 561-818-0050•Fax: [email protected] • www.rmlawyer.com
“That was a really painful loss, missing by a head last
year. It stuck with me all this time because I know she
should have won, and because we lost the race here at
Calder, on our home track. So it feels so great right now,
to win this race today. This was sweet redemption.”—jockey Juan Leyva
RomancingTheRooney
Musical Romance with trainerBill Kaplan and jockey Juan Leyva
Project1:Florida Horse_template 7/31/12 12:37 PM Page 34
By JO ANN GUIDRY
MyDearGirl became the second Florida-bred na-
tional champion when she was named the 1959
champion 2-year-old filly. Needles, the 1955
champion 2-year-old colt, had been the first Florida-bred
national champion.
By Rough’nTumble out of Iltis, byWar Relic, My Dear
Girl was bred by Ocala Stud Farms and owned by Frances
A. Genter. It was the latter’s husbandwho named the cham-
pion filly after his favorite way of addressing his wife, ‘Now
my dear girl.’Frances Genter andMyDear Girl also shared
the same birthday of February 17.
In only the second start of her ca-
reer,MyDearGirlwas entered in the
Florida Breeders’Stakes at Sunshine
Park andwent off at odds of 179 to 5.
She bested the field of 25, winning
the three-furlong event by two
lengths. She followed thatwith a five-
length victory in the Miss Chicago
Stakes, setting a track record of 1:031⁄5 for the five and a half
furlongs. With subsequent tallies in the Gardenia Stakes and
Frizette Stakes,MyDearGirl brought her seasonal earnings to
$192,622. She became the first Florida-bred filly to earn over
$100,000 andwas named the year’s champion 2-year-old filly.
Thanks largely toMyDearGirl, her sire Rough’nTumble
was that year’s leadingFlorida sirewith total progeny earnings
of $260,496. He was the fourth-leading juvenile sire in the
country, represented byMyDearGirl, Conestoga, Carrollton
and Rough Fellow. Campaigned by the Genters, Rough’n
Tumble (Free ForAll—Roused, by *Bull Dog) first stood at
Ocala Stud in 1956. Joe O’Farrell had bought an interest in
him in 1954, first standing him in Maryland for $250. In
1957, Rough’n Tumble went back to stand in Maryland be-
fore coming back for good to Florida. Now owned solely by
Ocala Stud, he stood in 1959 for a stud fee of $1,000.
Wedlock, also by Rough’n Tumble, became the first
Florida-bred filly to win a classic race when she captured
that season’s Kentucky Oaks. Wedlock won the first divi-
sion of the 1959 Kentucky Oaks, while Florida-bred New
Star finished fourth and Florida-bred IndianMaid turned in
a runner-up performance in the second division.
In mid-1959, Ocala-based
Meadowbrook Farm was sold to a
syndicate which included Joseph LaCroix. Later,
LaCroix would become sole owner of Meadowbrook
Farm.At Bonnie Heath Farm, the first foals by champion
Needles arrived.
Carl G. Rosewas once again Florida’s leading breeder by
number of Florida-bred winners with 38. Ocala Stud was
second with 29. On the year, Florida-breds had won or
placed in 34 open stakes races. Ten Florida-breds were as-
signed to the Experimental Free Handicap.
At that year’s Florida Breeders
Sales Association’s 2-year-olds in
training sale at Hialeah Park, a
total of 55 horses sold for a gross
of $292,200. The sales average
was $5,314. The sales topper was
Pio, a colt by Fly Away out of Sis
Brier, who brought top price of
$20,600. He was consigned by
Bonnie Heath Farm and Jack Dudley.
James Bright, the pioneer of Florida racing and breeding,
died at the age of 93. Elmo Shropshire, who had managed
Dickey Stables, and his wife Ethel were killed in an auto-
mobile accident in Miami.�
My Dear Girl (left) was the firstFlorida-bred filly to earn over $100,000.
MemoryLaneDown
My Dear Girl was bred byOcala Stud Farms and owned by
Frances A. Genter. It was thelatter’s husband who named thechampion filly after his favorite
way of addressing his wife.
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 35
FILEPH
OTO
MemoryLane.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 1:31 PM Page 35
36 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
he Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and OwnersʼAssociation announced in April an agreementwith Calder/Churchill Downs Inc. and the Florida
Horsemenʼs Benevolent and Protective Association forthis yearʼs Florida Stallion Stakes Series at Calder.
The lucrative series for two-year-olds was created in1982 to benefit the Florida Thoroughbred Breeding in-dustry. The popular series features three legs—an opendivision and a fillies division—run in July, August andconcluding in October for juveniles by Florida stallionsregistered with the FTBOA.
The initial legs carry purses of $75,000 each for a totalof $150,000. Purses are increased to $125,000 for thesecond legs, totaling $250,000. Purses for the series fi-
nale swell to $300,000 each for a $600,000 total. Includ-ing Nominator Awards and $5,000 FSS Supplements forfillies (15) and colts (15) totaling an estimated $85,000,the estimated purse payments total $1,160,000.The FTBOA, FHBPA and Caldereach contributed to the program.
“I believe all parties involved recognize the impor-tance of the Florida Stallion Stakes to Floridaʼs ownersand breeders,” said Lonny Powell, FTBOA CEO and ex-ecutive vice president. “The juvenile program at Calder isone of the strongest in the country year in and year out,and weʼre looking forward with great anticipation to thissummerʼs renewal of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series.Iʼd like to thank the FHBPA, Calder and the members ofmy Racing Advisory Committee for assisting us in bring-ing some continuity and stability to the program.”“The Florida Stallion Stakes have long been a tradi-tion here at Calder that showcases our two-year-olds forthe whole country,” FHBPA president Phil Combest said.“Many champions have come out of the series and we atthe FHBPA are pleased that the track, breeders andhorsemen came together to support an important cor-nerstone of South Florida racing.”
The first legs of the series are slated for July 28. The two$75,000 races are the Desert Vixen Division for fillies andthe Dr. Fager Division for colts. Both races will be run at sixfurlongs. The second legs—the $125,000 Susanʼs Girl Di-
vision and the Affirmed Divisions will be run Aug. 25 duringCalderʼs Juvenile Showcase program. The races will becontested at seven furlongs. The FSS finales are set for theFestival of the Sun card on Oct. 13. The series concludeswith the $300,000 My Dear Girl Division and the $300,000In Reality Division. Both races are at 1 1/16 miles.2012 FLORIDA STALLIONSTAKES SERIES SCHEDULEJULY 28
Florida Stallion Stakes-$75,000estimated Desert Vixen DivisionFlorida Stallion Stakes-$75,000estimated Dr. Fager Division
AUG. 25Florida Stallion Stakes $125,000estimated Susanʼs Girl DivisionFlorida Stallion Stakes $125,000estimated Affirmed Division
OCT. 13Florida Stallion Stakes $300,000estimated My Dear Girl DivisionFlorida Stallion Stakes $300,000estimated In Reality Division
In recent years, Fred and Jane Breiʼs Jacks or BetterFarm has dominated FSS proceedings. Fort Loudoncapped off a three-race win streak last year when he wonthe In Reality Division while stablemate Awesome Bellewon the My Dear Girl Division the same day. Both ofthose runners are sired by Journeyman Stud stallionAwesome of Course, as is Redbud Road, who annexedthe Desert Vixen Division last year.
The 2011 Florida Stallion Series also marked the thirdconsecutive year that Jacks or Better Farm and trainerStanley Gold swept either the open or fillies division ofthe series. They combined to win the fillies series in 2010with Awesome Feather, also by Awesome of Course, andswept the open division in 2009 with Jackson Bend.
Another recent notable sweep was Harold QueenʼsBig Drama, who swept the 2008 Florida Stallion StakesSeries. Big Drama was conditioned by David Fawkes.
In addition to the FSS and the lucrative purses forFlorida-bred juveniles, there are plenty of other substan-tial earning opportunities for Florida-breds during theCalder meet which runs through Aug. 31. The Tropical
Rewarding ExcellenceThe Florida Stallion Stakes at
Calder Keeps on Rolling
continued on page 43
AcceleratedEarningPower2Sprds.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/30/12 3:51 PM Page 36
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 37
Advert isement
JIM LISA PHOTO
AcceleratedEarningPower2Sprds.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 11:06 AM Page 37
FTBOA:THE VOICEOF FLORIDA’STHOROUGHBREDINDUSTRY
Since its inception, the Florida ThoroughbredBreedersʼ and Ownersʼ Association has been re-sponsible for Florida-bred registration and adminis-tration and distribution of the industryʼs incentiveawards program, which encourages individuals tobreed, train and race Thoroughbreds in Florida.
The FTBOA is dedicated to ensuring a pros-perous business climate for the industry. WithFloridaʼs low taxes and smart growth policies,basing a Thoroughbred operation in the SunshineState makes perfect business sense. For more in-formation, contact the FTBOA at (352) 629-2160.
2012 FLORIDA-BRED STAKES PROGRAM AT CALDERDate SEX AGE DISTANCE SURFACE PURSE RACE Definition FTBOA Supplement5/12 Fillies 3 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 French Village FSS 20,000 FTBOA5/12 Open 3 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 In Summation FSS 20,000 FTBOA
Preview Summit of Speed6/9 Open 3 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 Unbridled 10,000 FTBOA6/9 Open 3 & Up 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 Ponche Hdcp. 10,000 FTBOA6/9 F & M 3 & Up 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 U Can Do It H. 10,000 FTBOA6/9 Fillies 3 yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 75,000 Leave Me Alone 10,000 FTBOA6/30 Fillies 2 Yo’s 5 1/2 fur. Dirt 100,000 J J’s Dream FS Pref 45,000 FTBOA6/30 Open 2 Yo’s 5 1/2 fur. Dirt 100,000 Frank Gomez Mem. FS Pref 45,000 FTBOA7/7 Open 3 & Up 5 fur. Turf 75,000 Bob Umphrey (T) Sprint7/21 Fillies 3 Yo’s 1m 70 yds. Dirt 75,000 Three Ring FSS 20,000 FTBOA7/21 Open 3 Yo’s 1m 70 yds. Dirt 75,000 El Kaiser FSS 20,000 FTBOA7/28 Fillies 2 Yo’s 6Fur Dirt E. 75,000 Desert Vixen FSS7/28 Open 2Yo’s 6Fur Dirt E. 75,000 Dr. Fager FSS8/18 Fillies 3 Yo’s 7 1/2 fur. Turf 75,000 Crystal Rail FSS 20,000 FTBOA8/18 Open 3 Yo’s 7 1/2 fur. Turf 75,000 Naked Greed FSS 20,000 FTBOA
Juvenile Showcase8/25 Fillies 2 Yo’s 7 fur. Dirt E.125,000 Susan’s Girl FSS8/25 Open 2 Yo’s 7 fur. Dirt E.125,000 Affirmed FSS8/25 Fillies 2 Yo’s 1 mile Dirt 75,000 Lindsay Frolic FS Pref 20,000 FTBOA8/25 Open 2 Yo’s 1 mile Dirt 75,000 Seacliff FS Pref 20,000 FTBOA8/25 Fillies 2 Yo’s 5 fur. Turf 75,000 Catcharisingstar 20,000 FTBOA8/25 Open 2 Yo’s 5 fur. Turf 75,000 Fasig Tipton (T) Dash 20,000 FTBOA
38 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
AcceleratedEarningPower2Sprds.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 11:07 AM Page 38
meet begins Sept. 1 and runs through Nov. 30 this year.New at Calder this year is a Starter Series, which offers a
combined $200,000 in purse money along with a $5,000bonus to the trainer of the points-leader at the completion ofthe series. The four-race series began in April and runsthrough May 26. It attracted a total of 74 nominations.
“The Starter Series has generated a great deal of interestfrom our horsemen and weʼre thrilled with the positive responsewe have received,” Racing Secretary Mike Anifantis said. “Weexpect large and competitive fields for each of the four races.”
The four-race series is restricted to 4-year-olds and up thathave started for $20,000 or less in 2011 or 2012 and will berun at progressively longer distances while alternating be-tween the main track and the turf course.
Bisnath Parbhoo, the top trainer at the 2010-2011 TropicalMeet, leads the way with seven horses nominated to theStarter Series, six of which run in the silks of the 2011 CalderMeet leading owner Sherry Parbhoo. Two-time leading ownerFrank C. Calabrese, winner of the 2011 and the 2010-11 Trop-ical titles, has five horses nominated to the Starter Series,three for trainer Kirk Ziadie and two for Nick Canani.
Other trainers of note that have horses nominated to the
Calder Starter Series include the northern-based outfits ofVickie Foley, Jamie Ness, Jason Servis, and Peter Walder,along with longtime Calder stalwarts Dave Fawkes, Bill Ka-plan, and Stanley Gold.
A $5,000 bonus will be awarded to the trainer of the horsethat accumulates the most points throughout the series, withpoints allocated to the first six finishers in each race.
THE CALDER STARTERSERIES SCHEDULE:
APRIL 14Seven Furlongs—Dirt
APRIL 28One Mile—Turf
MAY 12One Mile and Seventy Yards—Dirt
MAY 26One and One-Sixteenth Miles—Turf
Advert isement
FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
Lonny T. Powell, CEO and Executive Vice President801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 • 352-629-2160Fax: 352-629-3603 • www.ftboa.com • [email protected]
www.facebook.com/thefloridahorseFLORIDA DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE
AND CONSUMER SERVICESAdam H. Putnam, Commissioner • 850-617-7341 • Fax 850-617-7331
e-mail: [email protected] S. Calhoun • 416 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Date SEX AGE DISTANCE SURFACEPURSE RACE Definition FTBOA SupplementPreview Festival of the Sun9/15 Fillies 3 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Turf 75,000 Judy’s Red Shoes S. FSS 20,000 FTBOA9/15 Open 3 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Turf 75,000 Needles Stakes FSS 20,000 FTBOA9/15 Fillies 2 Yo’s 1m 70 yds. Dirt 100,000 Brave Raj Stakes FSS Pref 35,000 FTBOA9/15 Open 2 Yo’s 1m 70 yds. Dirt 100,000 Foolish Pleasure Stakes FSS Pref 35,000 FTBOA9/29 Fillies 2 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 100,000 Cassidy S. FS Pref 35,000 FTBOA9/29 Open 2 Yo’s 6 fur. Dirt 100,000 Birdonthewire S. FS Pref 35,000 FTBOA
Festival of the Sun10/13 Open 3 Yo’s 1 1/8 m. Turf 75,000 Tropical Derby 10,000 FTBOA10/13 Fillies 3 Yo’s 1 m. Turf 75,000 Francis A. Genter 10,000 FTBOA10/13 Fillies 2 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Dirt E.350,000 My Dear Girl FSS10/13 Open 2 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Dirt E.350,000 In Reality FSS
Florida Million11/10 Fillies 2 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Turf 100,000 John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 2 Yo’s 1 1/16 m. Turf 100,000 Arthur I. Appleton Juvenile Turf State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Fillies 2 Yo’s 7 fur. Dirt 125,000 Joe O Farrell Juvenile Fillies State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 2 Yo’s 7 fur. Dirt 125,000 Jack Price Juvenile State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 3 & Up 6 fur. Dirt 125,000 Jack Dudley Sprint H. State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 3 & Up 1 1/8 m. Turf 125,000 Bonnie Heath Turf Cup State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 F & M 3 & Up 1 1/16 m. Dirt 150,000 Elmer Heubeck Distaff H. State 50,000 FTBOA11/10 Open 3 & Up 1 1/8 m. Dirt 150,000 Carl G. Rose Classic State 50,000FTBOA_DeptAgtext
FTBOA Racing/Stakes Committee: Brent Fernung, Chair,Phil Matthews, George Russell, Fred Brei, Lonny Powell
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 39
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40 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship ” Point Standings through July 25, 2012.
Year-end divisional champions will be determined using the “FTBOAChase to the Championship” point system, a ranking that awards points forsuccess in stakes races.
The “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” allocates points for stakes wins ingraded races,open-company stakes and Florida’s signature racing days,with thenumber of points awarded based upon the classification of the race. Internationalstakes race status is governed by the International Cataloguing Standards Com-mittee. The first three finishers in all Group/Graded and listed races appearing inPart I of the International Cataloguing Standards and International Statistics Bookprinted by The Jockey Club receive “black-type” designation.Ten point bonus tobe awarded to any 2-year-old colt or filly sweeping all three legs of the Florida Stal-lion Stakes in determining the Champion 2-year-old Florida-bred.The Florida-bred with the most points in each division on December 31
is deemed champion of that division. Horse of the Year, Broodmare of theYear and Breeder of the Year will be voted on by the FTBOA Board of Di-rectors and announced at the FTBOA’s annual awards dinner.In the case of a year-end tie in points in any division, earnings will be
used to decide the tiebreaker. — Points are assigned as follows:
� World Thoroughbred ChampionshipBreeders’ Cup Race:Win: 20 pointsPlace: 15 pointsShow: 10 points
� Grade 1 Stakes Race:Win: 15 pointsPlace: 10 pointsShow: 5 points
� Grade 2 Stakes Race:Win: 5 pointsPlace: 3 pointsShow: 2 points
� Grade 3 Stakes Race:Win: 3 pointsPlace: 2 pointsShow: 1 point
� Sunshine Millions(equivalent to a Grade 2 Stakes Race):Win: 5 pointsPlace: 3 pointsShow: 2 points
� Other Florida-bredSignature Race Days(equivalent to a Grade 3 Stakes Race):(The Florida Million, Florida Cup,Florida Stallion Stakes Series):Win: 3 pointsPlace: 2 pointsShow: 1 point
� Open-Company Stakes($50,000+Purse) Points for WIN ONLY:Win: 2 points
� Selection Criteria for Florida-bred champions
Horse Breeder Owner TrainerTwo-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Circle Unbroken (Broken Vow) - 3 Brylynn Farm Inc Travis Morgeson V, LLC Gary W SimmsHandsome Jack (Bring The Heat) - 3 Wesley Ward Wesley Ward Wesley WardOnetwentyeight (Discreet Cat) - 2 Ocala Stud Repole Stable Todd PletcherTwo T's At Two B (Untuttable) - 2 Gilbert G Campbell Gilbert G Campbell Kathleen O'Connell
Two-Year-Old FillySalamera (Successful Appeal) - 2 Tanourin Stable Tanourin Stable Rodolfo Garcia
Three-Year-Old Colt/GeldingFort Loudon (Awesome of Course) - 7 Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Jacks or Better Farm Inc Stanley GoldCurrency Swap (High Cotton) - 5 Stonecliff Farm Klaravich Stables Inc &William H Lawrence Teresa PompayCrafty Unicorn (Friends Lake) - 3 Sabrina Plumley & Harold J. Plumley Dennis Manning Dennis ManningStar Channel (English Channel) - 3 Mr. & Mrs. Samuel H. Rogers Jr. GDS Racing Stable Todd PletcherTarpy's Goal (High Cotton) - 3 Chad R. Schumer & Nancy Sexton Mike Tarp Dale Romans
Three-Year-Old FillyEden's Moon (Malibu Moon) - 23 Bridlewood Farm Kaleem Shah Inc. Bob BaffertRegalo Mia (Sligo Bay) - 6 Juvenile Diaz Steven Ciccarone Michelle NiheiAnother Romance (Saint Anddan) - 5 Beverley Tortora & Dr. Alice Russell Lewis Pell, Michael Eigner & Pinnacle Racing Stable Et al William KaplanYara (Put It Back) - 5 Brambly Lane Farm & Steve Dwoskin Peras International Jose Garoffalo
Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding)Ron the Greek (Full Mandate) - 35 Jack T. Hammer Brous Stable,Wachtel Stable & Jack T. Hammer William MottLittle Mike (Spanish Steps) - 23 Carlo E Vaccarezza Priscilla Vaccarezza Dale RomansJackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 20 Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Robert V. LaPenta & Fred J. Brei Nicholas ZitoJeranimo (Congaree) - 20 Brylynn Farm Inc B JWright Michael Pender
Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare)Musical Romance (Concorde's Tune) - 30 Ocala Stud Pinnacle Racing Stables &William A Kaplan William A KaplanBay to Bay (Sligo Bay) - 13 Adena Springs Robert Smithen Brian LynchC C's Pal (Alex's Pal) - 13 Beth Bayer Eric Fein Richard Dutrow JrHoohWhy (Cloud Hopping) - 10 Gail Gee Estate of Gail Gee, Mark Hoffman & Earl Trostrud, Jr. Shirley K Girten-Drake/Michael L Reavis
Male Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding, race distances one mile and less)Jackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 20 Jacks or Better Farm Inc. Robert V. LaPenta & Fred J. Brei Nicholas ZitoJeranimo (Congaree) - 17 Brylynn Farm Inc B JWright Michael PenderDoubles Partner (Rock Hard Ten) - 8 Arthur I. Appleton WinStar Farm LLC Todd Pletcher
Female Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare, race distances one mile and less)Musical Romance (Concorde's Tune) - 30 Ocala Stud Pinnacle Racing Stables &William A Kaplan William A KaplanEden's Moon (Malibu Moon) - 20 Bridlewood Farm Kaleem Shah Inc. Bob BaffertC C's Pal (Alex's Pal) - 11 Beth Bayer Eric Fein Richard Dutrow Jr
Male Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding, races run on the turf)Little Mike (Spanish Steps) - 23 Carlo E Vaccarezza Priscilla Vaccarezza Dale RomansJeranimo (Congaree) - 20 Brylynn Farm Inc B JWright Michael PenderTurbo Compressor (Halo's Image) - 17 Bridlewood Farm P and G Stable & Off the Hook LLC Todd Pletcher
Female Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare, races run on the turf)Bay to Bay (Sligo Bay) - 13 Adena Springs Robert Smithen Brian LynchWild Mia (Wildcat Heir) - 7 Montgomery Farm Rosemont Stud Syndicate Jerry FanningHoohWhy (Cloud Hopping) - 6 Gail Gee Estate of Gail Gee, Mark Hoffman & Earl Trostrud, Jr. Michael L ReavisRegalo Mia (Sligo Bay) - 6 Juvenile Diaz Steven Ciccarone Michelle Nihei
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 41
The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through July 29, 2012. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.
Florida Sires
PUT IT BACKWILDCAT HEIR CHAPEL ROYAL
NA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yoName Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg
Wildcat Heir Forest Wildcat Journeyman Stud $2,712,914 156 78 5 5 1 $2,798,906 Derwin’s Star $133,000 24 $26,458 16 $47,813
Put It Back Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm $2,367,772 154 67 5 8 3 $2,533,826 Yara $290,250 32 $17,556 28 $42,679
Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $1,791,393 184 75 2 2 0 $1,794,795 Dolly Peach $120,995 17 $14,629 7 $15,500
Full Mandate A.P. Indy Hartley/DeRenzo $1,708,343 84 40 1 2 1 $1,738,200 Ron the Greek $872,932 2 $1,600 3 $20,500
With Distinction Storm Cat Hartley/DeRenzo $1,692,320 133 62 0 0 0 $1,696,677 Canuletmedowneasy $95,130 21 $26,200 22 $25,432
Repent Louis Quatorze Cloverleaf Farms II $1,497,996 150 56 1 2 0 $1,503,064 Lotta Lovin $79,914 9 $16,078 7 $20,386
Halo’s Image Halo Deceased $1,441,673 58 29 1 2 1 $1,441,673 Turbo Compressor $674,180 4 $5,675 3 $12,167
Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) Candy Stripes Stonewall Farm Ocala $1,227,924 75 32 3 4 1 $1,394,293 Aquitania $130,000 21 $37,293 5 $125,400
Concorde’s Tune Concorde Bound Deceased $1,150,978 65 23 2 3 2 $1,158,082 Musical Romance $409,845 3 $47,000
Value Plus Unbridled’s Song Stonewall Farm Ocala $1,036,114 93 41 0 0 0 $1,136,246 Sweet Jody $61,369 22 $10,582 7 $35,357
Graeme Hall Dehere Winding Oaks $1,124,884 85 34 0 0 0 $1,125,016 Duke of Mischief $212,000 12 $19,342 14 $29,464
Greatness Mr. Prospector Stonewall Farm Ocala $1,088,154 61 28 4 7 1 $1,089,991 Great Attack $144,092 1 $1,000 2 $17,750
City Place Storm Cat Hartley/DeRenzo $962,206 64 32 4 5 1 $976,985 La Tia $177,360 6 $9,583 5 $20,500
Pomeroy Boundary Vinery Florida $920,159 76 34 0 0 0 $920,586 Love My Way $71,040 13 $28,423 10 $40,100
High Cotton Dixie Union Ocala Stud $783,636 35 14 2 3 1 $814,049 Currency Swap $268,300 9 $26,222 20 $36,275
Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $801,357 55 17 1 2 0 $797,257 Shadowbdancing $132,450 4 $16,500 15 $86,400
Saint Anddan A.P. Indy Journeyman Stud $792,671 47 19 2 3 1 $792,671 Another Romance $178,660 3 $12,667 5 $9,640
A. P. Warrior A.P. Indy Stonewall Farm Ocala $720,264 59 25 1 1 1 $778,124 Thunder Moccasin $90,000 6 $13,083 2 $35,000
Roar of the Tiger Storm Cat Deceased $741,550 84 30 0 0 0 $741,160 Bear Tough Tiger $59,160 6 $8,833 3 $8,833
Teuflesberg Johannesburg Journeyman Stud $737,192 22 5 1 3 1 $739,294 Trinniberg $510,000 5 $22,000 5 $102,240
Strong Contender Maria’s Mon Stonewall Farm Ocala $735,596 42 20 2 2 0 $737,005 Awesome Fire $220,437 6 $17,533 2 $27,500
West Acre Forty Niner Stonehedge Farm South $727,878 42 19 1 1 0 $727,878 Western Prospector $82,223 1 $2,500 2 $13,500
Three Wonders Storm Cat Deceased $693,378 64 35 0 0 0 $705,659 Threetimesawonder $45,416
Imperialism Langfuhr Get Away Farm $672,038 59 25 1 1 0 $680,656 Imperial Czar $120,268 7 $9,929 8 $17,750
Proud Accolade Yes It’s True Deceased $677,784 49 15 1 1 0 $678,020 My Charming Clyde $74,394 7 $7,886 4 $27,000
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42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through July 29, 2012. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.
Leading Florida Juvenile Sires
WILDCAT HEIRPUT IT BACK BRING THE HEATNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo
Name Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg
Put It Back Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm $249,643 18 7 1 1 0 $249,643 Billos Boy $47,925 32 $17,556 28 $42,679
Wildcat Heir Forest Wildcat Journeyman Stud $174,240 18 5 0 0 0 $174,240 Heir Kitty $30,000 24 $26,458 16 $47,813
Bring the Heat In Excess (IRE) Ward Ranch $157,981 10 4 0 0 0 $157,981 Handsome Jack $69,936 2 $40,000
Untuttable Unbridled Stonehedge Farm South $149,585 4 2 1 2 0 $149,585 Two T’s At Two B $132,135
Doneraile Court Seattle Slew Stonewall Farm Ocala $147,525 9 3 1 1 1 $149,115 Scherer Magic $107,400 11 $10,466 1 $20,000
High Cotton Dixie Union Ocala Stud $129,085 8 3 0 0 0 $129,085 Spurious Precision $48,000 9 $26,222 20 $36,275
Value Plus Unbridled’s Song Stonewall Farm Ocala $114,612 10 3 0 0 0 $114,612 Allaboutcaroline $46,149 22 $10,582 7 $35,357
Cowtown Cat Distorted Humor Journeyman Stud $92,639 9 4 0 0 0 $94,853 Cat Five Hurricane $28,597 25 $17,000 22 $43,068
Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $89,815 15 4 0 0 0 $91,563 Mr Rodriguez $33,000 17 $14,629 7 $15,500
With Distinction Storm Cat Hartley/DeRenzo $86,870 11 3 0 0 0 $86,870 Too Fast to Pass $33,170 21 $26,200 22 $25,432
Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) Candy Stripes Stonewall Farm Ocala $58,968 3 2 0 0 0 $58,968 Tara From the Cape $32,668 21 $37,293 5 $125,400
Black Mambo Kingmambo Deceased $55,517 6 3 0 0 0 $55,517 The Party’s Here $31,200 3 $5,000 3 $8,400
Circular Quay Thunder Gulch Journeyman Stud $53,500 7 3 0 0 0 $53,500 Jewel in the Sky $18,750 14 $13,014 19 $36,826
Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $50,104 5 1 0 0 0 $50,104 Impossible Mary $46,100 4 $16,500 15 $86,400
Straight Man Saint Ballado Signature Stallions $48,153 3 1 0 0 0 $48,153 Unflinching $43,585 2 $7,500
Exclusive Quality Elusive Quality Journeyman Stud $48,060 6 2 0 0 0 $48,060 Sr. Quisqueyano $21,100 14 $8,307 21 $20,019
Pomeroy Boundary Vinery Florida $46,790 4 2 0 0 0 $46,790 Cay to Pomeroy $34,700 13 $28,423 10 $40,100
City Place Storm Cat Hartley/DeRenzo $44,673 9 2 0 0 0 $44,673 Your Sister $10,610 6 $9,583 5 $20,500
Hal’s Image Halo’s Image Get Away Farm $41,950 11 0 0 0 0 $41,950 Joanie’s Image $12,220
B L’s Appeal Valid Appeal Randolph Thoroughbreds $40,370 4 1 0 0 0 $40,370 Dighton $23,210 2 $1,000 3 $7,833
Got the Last Laugh Distorted Humor McKathan Brothers $37,725 2 2 0 0 0 $37,725 Giggle Fit $27,000 4 $5,625 4 $12,375
Saint Anddan A.P. Indy Journeyman Stud $37,110 2 1 0 0 0 $37,110 Sainted Dancer $29,770 3 $12,667 5 $9,640
Act of Duty Mr. Prospector Stonehedge Farm South $36,420 5 2 0 0 0 $36,420 Dan the Irishman $26,100 3 $2,046 1 $2,500
Gottcha Gold Coronado’s Quest Ocala Stud $30,515 4 1 0 0 0 $30,515 My Daddy’s Dollars $21,100 7 $7,386 13 $26,769
Roar of the Tiger Storm Cat Deceased $29,797 5 2 0 0 0 $29,797 No Way R J $15,770 6 $8,833 3 $8,833
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 43
The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through July 29, 2012. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.
Leading Florida Freshman Sires
CIRCULAR QUAYCOWTOWN CAT GOT THE LAST LAUGHNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo
Name Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg
Cowtown Cat Distorted Humor Journeyman Stud $92,639 9 4 0 0 0 $94,853 Cat Five Hurricane $28,597 25 $17,000 22 $43,068
Circular Quay Thunder Gulch Journeyman Stud $53,500 7 3 0 0 0 $53,500 Jewel in the Sky $18,750 14 $13,014 19 $36,826
Got the Last Laugh Distorted Humor McKathan Brothers $37,725 2 2 0 0 0 $37,725 Giggle Fit $27,000 4 $5,625 4 $12,375
Gottcha Gold Coronado’s Quest Ocala Stud $30,515 4 1 0 0 0 $30,515 My Daddy’s Dollars $21,100 7 $7,386 13 $26,769
Keyed Entry Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm $15,065 4 1 0 0 0 $15,065 Hyena $13,200 17 $5,918 16 $33,313
The Green Monkey Forestry Hartley/DeRenzo $10,755 5 0 0 0 0 $10,755 Kinz Funky Monkey $8,400 1 $2,000 3 $48,667
The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through July 29, 2012. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.
Leading Florida 2nd Crop Sires
SAINT ANDDANHIGH COTTON TEUFLESBERGNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo
Name Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg
High Cotton Dixie Union Ocala Stud $783,636 35 14 2 3 1 $814,049 Currency Swap $268,300 9 $26,222 20 $36,275
Saint Anddan A.P. Indy Journeyman Stud $792,671 47 19 2 3 1 $792,671 Another Romance $178,660 3 $12,667 5 $9,640
Teuflesberg Johannesburg Journeyman Stud $737,192 22 5 1 3 1 $739,294 Trinniberg $510,000 5 $22,000 5 $102,240
Exclusive Quality Elusive Quality Journeyman Stud $620,100 49 22 0 0 0 $620,100 Christopher’s Joy $55,367 14 $8,307 21 $20,019
Simon Pure Silver Deputy Hartley/DeRenzo $521,927 35 18 1 1 0 $521,927 Dorothy’s Aurora $80,050 7 $6,757 10 $20,800
Spellbinder Tale of the Cat Stonewall Farm Ocala $297,053 10 5 1 1 1 $297,053 Well Spelled $135,740 2 $9,500
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By MICHAEL COMPTON
Calder Casino and Race Course’s Summit of
Speed Program on July 7 turned out to be a
showcase for offspring of Journeyman Stud
stallions. Owned by Brent and Crystal Fernung, Jour-
neyman Stud staked its claim to Summit of Speed day as
the Ocala stallion farm was represented in the spotlight
with runners byAwesome of Course,Teuflesberg, Saint
Anddan and Cowtown Cat.
The parade of winners was punctuated with a mag-
nificent battle in the Carry Back Stakes (G3) between
Florida-bred Fort Loudon, a son of Journeyman’s
Awesome of Course, andTrinniberg, by Journeyman’s
Teuflesberg.
Trinniberg, expected to shore up his status as one of
the leading sprinters in the country, had already annexed
the Swale Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, the Bay
Shore Stakes (G3) atAqueduct and theWoody Stephens
Stakes (G2) at Belmont Park this year.
Sent off as the odds-on favorite in theCarryBack,Trin-
niberg flashed his customary early zip away from the gate.
His brilliant speed in sprint races this season has spelled
defeat for his foes. Not so in theCarryBack. Fort Loudon
and jockey Fernando Jara confidently stalked Trinniberg
down the backstretch and into the far turn.The two runners
hooked up at the head of the lane for a memorable stretch
duel.At thewire, it was the Jacks orBetter homebred Fort
Loudon prevailing by a neck. Fort Loudon stopped the
timer for six furlongs in 1:10.57. It was nearly 14 lengths
back to the third-place finisherAngelofdistinction.
“We were pretty confident coming into this race,
and we thought we had a chance regardless of who was
running,” said Jara. “We just wanted to run our race.
The only thing [trainer] Stanley [Gold] told me was to
make sure that I didn’t let the other horse [Trinniberg]
go by himself, and I didn’t.And my horse ran great like
I knew he would. I’ve got a great horse.”
For a confident Brent Fernung, the Carry Back pro-
duced an ideal finish.
44 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
LIZLA
MONT
PHOT
O
Offspringof Journeyman Stud stallions
call the shots at Calder’s Summit of Speed
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 45
“I didn’t knowwhat the outcomewas going to be,” said
Fernung. “But I knew Iwas going to be happy.At the quar-
ter-pole it was obvious one of those two was going to win.
It was a heck of a horse race, that’s for sure.”
The Carry Back was the third consecutive stakes win
for Fort Loudon, who previously captured the Unbridled
and In Summation Stakes at Calder. Last season at age
two, Fort Loudon swept the Florida Stallion Stakes se-
ries for trainer Stanley Gold.
“I was proud of Fort Loudon,” said Fernung. “Not too
many bad horses sweep the Florida Stallion Stakes. He has
never really received the credit he deserved. He ran credi-
bly in some earlyDerby preps this year, but he is really put-
ting it together now sprinting. Fred (Brei) has always
d
Fort Loudon andTrinniberg battle inthe Carry Back Stakesat Calder.
SummitOfSpeed_Calder.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 9:20 AM Page 45
believed Fort Loudon was going to be a better sprinter.
This race did more to vault Fort Loudon forward. It
shouldn’t diminish Trinniberg’s reputation. He runs his
race every time. I understand they are both at Saratoga,
so maybe they can hook up again in the King’s Bishop.”
Awesome of Course, a son
of Awesome Again—Mais
Qui, by Lyphard, stood the
2012 season for $7,500. He is
also the sire of champion Awe-
some Feather. Teuflesberg, a
multiple graded stakes winner
in his racing career, is by Jo-
hannesburg—St. Michele, by
Devil’s Bag. He stood the 2012 season for $3,500.
In the Azalea Stakes (G3), Another Romance, a
Florida-bred daughter of Journeyman’s Saint Anddan,
became the first graded stakes winner for her sire. Rid-
den by Luca Panici,Another Romance stormed from last
to first to win the six-furlong fixture by 13⁄4 legnths for
trainer Bill Kaplan. She covered the distance in 1:12.02.
Bred by Beverly Tortora and Dr. Alice Russell, An-
other Romance races in the colors of Lewis Pell,
Michael Eigner and Pinnacle Racing Stable, et al.
“She is putting it all together right now,” Fernung
said ofAnother Romance. “For
Saint Anddan to get a horse
like her from his first crop is
important to his stud career.”
Finishing third in theAzalea
was Jack’s or Better’s Redbud
Road, a daughter of Awesome
of Course.
Saint Anddan, a graded
stakes-winning son of A.P. Indy—Adoradancer, by
Danzig Connection, is Florida’s leading second-crop sire
with 19winners, three stakes winners and progeny earn-
ings of $774,702 through July 18. Another Romance is
his leading earner at $178,660. Teuflesberg ranks sec-
ond with five winners, three stakes winners and earn-
46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
d
Florida-bred AnotherRomance (No. 3
above) became thefirst stakes winner for
Journeyman Studstallion Saint Anddan.
“She [Musical Romance] isputting it all together right now.For Saint Anddan to get a horselike her from his first crop is im-
portant to his stud career.”—Brent Fernung
SummitOfSpeed_Calder.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 9:20 AM Page 46
ings of $729,229. Trinniberg’s $510,000 is responsible
for a large chunk of his sire’s progeny earnings this sea-
son. Saint Anddan and Teuflesberg rank 15th and 18th,
respectively, on the national second-crop standings.
Cat Five Hurricane’s impressive victory in a five-fur-
long dash in the first race started Journeyman Stud’s day
on the right foot. The 2-year-old colt is by Journeyman
stallion Cowtown Cat, Florida’s leading first-crop sire
by progeny earnings and 7th nationally. CowtownCat is
the sire of four juvenile winners and boasts earnings of
$86,700. In second place on Florida’s first-crop sire list
through July 18 is Journeyman Stud stallion Circular
Quay with two winners and $44,350 in earnings.
“I believe Cowtown Cat is one of the best first-crop
sires in the country not just in Florida,” said Fernung.
“The one I fearmost as a threat to him leading theway in
Florida is CircularQuay.Our sires are off to a great start.”
Cowtown Cat was a multiple graded stakes winner
during his racing career. The son of Distorted
Humor—Tom’s Cat, by Storm Cat, stood last season
for $4,000.
While the Fernungs have enjoyed other multiple
win days, this year’s Summit of Speed ranks at the top.
“We watched the races from the computer at
home,” said Brent. “It was certainly a huge day for us.
We’ve had several good days in the past, but this was
the best of them.” �
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 47
Cat Five Hurricane,a 2-year-old colt byJourneyman stallionCowtown Cat (at left),started the successionof wins for JourneymanStud with an impres-sive victory in the firstrace of the day.
LIZLA
MONT
PHOT
O
LOUI
SERE
INAG
ELPH
OTO
SummitOfSpeed_Calder.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 9:20 AM Page 47
48 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
AWinningCombination
COOK
IESE
RLET
ICPH
OTO
By MELANIE LaCOUR
ItwasWinston Churchill who most accurately illu-
minated the human-equine emotional connection
when he declared “there’s something about the out-
side of a horse that is good for the inside of a man” or
in the case of theThoroughbred Retirement Foundation
farm based in Ocala, Florida; a woman. At the Florida
TRF facility the horses are cared for solely by female
inmates from the Lowell Correctional Institute, and the
vocational program these women participate in is the
physical embodiment of Mr. Churchill’s words.
The farm itself is roughly 100 acres of undulating
green hills with a well-kept barn and paddocks sur-
rounded by black four-board fencing. Notably, the plank
fences used to contain the 54 horses currently housed at
the facility are the only ones on the property. In fact, there
is nothing one can see to suggest this farm is anything
other than one of the typical sprawling thoroughbred
farms historically endemic to this area, including the ex-
traordinary level of care and attention the horses receive.
The horses housed at the facility consist of approxi-
mately 15-20 sponsored thoroughbreds who will live
out their retirement years on the farm, grazing along-
side those there temporarily with the ultimate goal of
adoption and a new career.Among the resident retirees,
one can find two notable Florida champions; Carterista
(Dr. Carter – Bosun’s Bride by Nashua), the 1993
Florida ChampionTurf Horse andwinner of eight stakes
races; and Shake You Down (Montbrook – Mauvin
Gway by Rajab), the 2003 Florida Champion Sprinter
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 49
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andwinner of nearly $1.5million. However, all thatmake
their home here are treated with the same kindness and
devotion regardless of lifetime earnings. Champion or
not, they might find themselves the recipient of a deli-
cious peanut butter sandwich generously shared from the
lunch of one of the devoted women who care for them.
These dedicated caretakers are a
group of 25 female inmates, referred
to as students, who are selected from
the non-violent prison population.
The students rotate to work 15 at a
time, 9 hours a day, with weekends
staffed on a volunteer basis. Those
who are selected to participate are
given the privilege of being the pri-
mary caregivers of two or three horses per student, and of
acquiring practical skills like grooming, feeding, muck-
ing, daily care, riding, and doctoring, as well as learning
a college curriculum with 22 written tests covering var-
ious aspects of horse care. When they graduate the
women receive a certificate in equine care technology.
Based on the depiction above, it should come as no
surprise that the women housed at the prison scramble
for an opportunity to fill the relatively few spaces avail-
able, as it affords them the opportunity to spend their
days outside in a role as close to regular civilian life as
an inmate could hope to be. “Currently, I am a number
and my name is inmate” explains Jennifer Barrett, suc-
cinctly relating the feeling of having one’s identity
stripped upon entering the penal system. Linda Marter
goes on to paint a picture of a life inside the prison using
words like “harsh,” “dark,” “empty,” and other adjec-
tives that would make a person shudder if used to de-
scribe everyday life. “I had become a mere number”
recounts Amber Lee on the feeling of alienation once
inside. However, the TRF program has provided these
women the means with which to regain some of what
they lost when they arrived at the prison, illustrated by
Jennifer’s uplifting qualification of her initial account
where she explains that while on the farm “for 9 hours
a day, I am Jennifer Barrett. I can be happy, nurturing,
have an opinion, and enjoy something that I love.” “Yes,
I am still incarcerated” says Linda Marter “but because
of a horse I am now free.”
Notwithstanding the feeling of independence and the
practical skills acquired, the emotional benefits that are
the product of this win-win situation are paramount to
the success of the TRF program. The students develop
and maintain a close connection with their charges and
the horses thrive under their care and individualized at-
tention. The women on the farm are remarkably confi-
dent and take an obvious andwell-deserved pride in their
depth of knowledge, responsibility, and hardwork, and in
turn the horses learn to adjust to amore relaxed life away
from the track.Thesewomen could have easily elected to
while away their sentenceswithin the prisonwalls, but in-
stead they have taken the initiative to choose a path that
ensures not only labor, sweat and
commitment, but also confidence,
hope and a chance at a future.
It is easy to see why these women
naturally gravitate toward the horses
at the farm; in them they see a mir-
rored reflection of themselves. As
such, the women often use the cir-
cumstances of the retired thorough-
breds as a metaphor for their own lives. In this way they
are better able to articulate how it is to be considered un-
desirable and then be presented a second chance. “I think
these horses have a lot in common with us, as inmates”
explains Evelyn Spillman, “we have all been out there in
50 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
The TRF programhas provided the meanswith which women can
regain some of whatthey lost when theyarrived at prison.
The students are ableto use the relationshipsthey cultivate with thehorses as a source ofcomfort, acceptance,discipline, affection,
peace and purpose; allelements of human
character that are allbut nonexistent in aprison environment.
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a race and have gone as fast as we could for as long aswe
could. The fact that they are done racing and so are we,
gives [sic] us common grounds” “I think that is why as
inmates we bond so closely with these horses because
we are both being given a second chance to start some-
thing new” explainsAngela Cooper. Their stories, both
horse and human, illustrate a personal evolution inwhich
one is able to reclassify themselves in order to succeed.
Stemming from the strong bonds they formwith them,
the women exhibit a universal and unconditional rever-
ence for the horses under their care, frequently using the
word “magnificent” to describe their charges and relat-
ing the sense of trust developed by their time spent to-
gether.Angela Cooper describes the rapport between her
and her horse by saying “[h]e givesme unconditional love
and unbelievable trust and puts his special life in my
hands. It is a humbling experience and I do not take it for
granted.” The students are able to use the relationships
they cultivate with the horses as a source of comfort, ac-
ceptance, discipline, affection, peace and purpose; all el-
ements of human character that are all but nonexistent in
a prison environment. As a result of this bond, the horses
reap the benefits of abundant individual attention. “The
level of care given to the horses is undeniably great and
leavesmewith a sense of pride and accomplishment after
a hard days work” says Melissa Matuzek.
The most prominent theme among the student’s testi-
monials, however, is undoubtedly optimism, attained only
through the hard work and education that are the roots of
the program itself. “The work is hard, hot and dirty” says
Angela Cooper, but she is quick to add that the effort is
absolutely worth it when she sees her horse resting com-
fortably in his paddock. And the work is indeed hard as
thewomen are expected to perform every aspect of horse
care aswell as farmmaintenance. “It’s not always fun, our
chores involvemucking stalls, haying,weed eating, feed-
ing, and keeping everything in its place” says SarahHall,
but alongwith thework “you learn patience and you learn
to make the most of your time.”
A consequence of the labor and hands-on as well as
classroom education provided to the students is the afore-
mentioned optimism; thewomen almost universally have
a sense of future where one had not existed before. An
example of this is KathrynDupree, who prior to entering
the program says she could not see the light at the end of
the tunnel. However, she has since been able to gain
“self-worth, unconditional love, team work, and a boost
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 51
A consequence of thelabor and hands-on as wellas classroom educationprovided to the studentsis the aforementionedoptimism; the womenalmost universally havea sense of future whereone had not existedbefore.
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of confidence” through her time at the farm. “Prison is
not easy, pretty, fun, or a great place for rehabilitation,”
Erika Martin bluntly states in her evaluation of a life in-
side, but by being able to escape the everyday life in
lockup, she is able to practice and further her skills every
day. Erika now plans to take what she has learned and
apply it in her life after release. “The possibilities in the
equine field are endless and I can’t explain how good it
feels to know what I want to do with my life.”
This prospect of a successful future has become a re-
ality for a number of the program’s graduates based on
their unique ability to gain employment using the ex-
tensive and specialized knowledge they acquired work-
ing on the farm. Dawn Bieber, who graduated from the
program in 2009, was offered an opportunity shortly
after her release to work for Classic Bloodstock, LLC
in Ocala where she remained employed for three years.
Prior to becoming part of the program at TRF, Dawn’s
involvement with horses was minimal and went only as
far as doing some combined training as a teenager.As a
student in the program, she gained a great deal of in-
valuable hands-on experience while assisting in the
physical rehabilitation of the ex-race horses, helping
them come back to form from injuries such as bowed
tendons or bucked shins.
Shannon Riger recently finished her time with the
TRF when she was released on May 12, 2012 after a 13
year stay at Lowell C.I. While a student in the program,
Shannon worked extensively in the area of retraining.
As the daughter of a thoroughbred owner and trainer and
also an experienced equestrian herself, she was able to
make a significant impact by helping prepare horses for
adoption through her under saddle work. As part of the
retraining process, Shannon worked with up to five
horses at a time, teaching them basic voice and leg com-
mands to prepare them for a second career. The close
relationships she developed with her equine pupils then
enabled her to assist in a successful adoption process by
directing prospective owners toward the horse best
suited for their purpose.
When asked to expand upon their experiences and
opinion of the program and the doors it opened, so to
speak, upon release, the women had nothing but positive
insight. Shannon explained that she found it therapeutic
to be among the horses and that the students learn the
“proper way” of accomplishing a plethora of tasks. She
summarized the students’ future opportunities by say-
ing “if they really want it, they can learn so much and
then take [their knowledge] out into the real world.”
And take her knowledge to the real world she has
done. Having been released less than a month prior to
the writing of this article, she is currently searching for
employment within the horse industry, but thanks to the
program her prospects are bright. She has not only been
actively interviewing, but attended the OBS sale in June
with Kinsman Farm and hopes that her experience there
might lead to a more permanent position. Shannon re-
mains committed to theTRF program and its residents;
as evidenced by her choice to adopt two of the TRF
horses herself upon her release. Currently one can find
formerTRF residents EastsideTrain and Hurricane Ser-
gio living a comfortable life on 3.5 acres in Ocala under
the watchful eye of someone who has received top-
52 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
Stemming from thestrong bonds they formwith them, the womenexhibit a universal and
unconditional reverencefor the horses under
their care.
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notch training in every aspect of equine upkeep.
Dawn Bieber echoed Shannon’s sentiments when
she attributed her success to the fact that she “really, re-
ally used the program” and further explained that “if
you use [the program], you will not have a problem
finding a job when you get out.”When asked to elabo-
rate on her accomplishments after being released, she
described how she attended
an OBS sale with the pro-
gram’s director, John Evans,
and that the first person he
approached on her behalf
was more than happy to
offer her a position. Al-
though currently a stay at home mom, Dawn expressed
enthusiasm for heading back to work in the thorough-
bred industry in the near future. Of John Evans and the
program at TRF, she explained “that man and that pro-
gram saved my life, there’s no telling where I’d be if I
hadn’t gone through that program.”
With the curriculum incorporating all aspects of
equine care and farm maintenance, the women have the
option of following their interests and focusing on a par-
ticular part of the trade. In doing so, they are able to pre-
pare themselves for a productive life outside when they
are finished serving their time. The vocational training
the women receive is essential to their success as it pro-
vides themwith ameans to support themselves in aworld
thatmight look down its nose at thosewith a troubled past.
Diane Garcia is the perfect example of someone
who has taken the trade skills she gained in the program
and transformed them into a successful career. Upon
her release in May of 2011 after a seven year sentence,
Diane quickly realized she was going to have to take
the initiative if she was going to support herself. Two
weeks later she started her farrier business, Excellent
Equine Care, located in Haines City, Florida. Diane ini-
tially began by going door to door looking for business,
but within a year her reputation had flourished in the
community and she started acquiring clients through
word of mouth.
Having arrived at TRF as a Boston native with ab-
solutely no horse experience, she admits she was initially
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 53
With the curriculum incorporating all aspects of equine care and farmmaintenance, the women have the option of following their interests and focus-ing on a particular part of the trade. In doing so, they are able to prepare them-selves for a productive life outside when they are finished serving their time.
The vocational trainingthe women receive isessential to their successas it provides them witha means to supportthemselves in a world
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timid on the farm. However, it did not take long for her to
transform into a full-fledged horsewomen, and soon she
was completely engrossed in herwork. In particular,Diane
had a fascination with feet. She started studying the hoof,
observing the farrier, asking questions and devouring
books; she explains it by saying she became “absorbed by
the whole medical aspect” of the farrier trade.Thereafter,
having been given themental tools by the programand the
physical tools of the trade by director Evans, Diane had
the ability and confidence to strike out on her own. “The
biggest thing [the program] does is for the girls is self-con-
fidence” she explainedwhen askedwhat themost impor-
tant take-away was for students. She summed up her
testimonial by saying that “girls in prison havemademis-
takes, followed the wrong people, went down the wrong
path” but emphasized that it doesn’t make them bad peo-
ple. Like the thoroughbreds they care for, “the girls need
a chance” she said, the emotion evident in her voice.
None of thesewomen are ashamed to admit they have
made mistakes in their past, speaking candidly about
their sentences and time in prison. However they do not
dwell on it and they live their lives looking forward not
back. The program and the industry have helped them
gain a clear view of a bright future and provided them a
path on which to advance beyond their past and the re-
sources to put theirmistakes behind them.TheTRF takes
an otherwise daunting situation and provides a light at
the end of the tunnel, something to strive for and the tools
to reintegrate productively back into society.
Funding and support for the program and facility
come from a group of organizations and individuals that
recognize and seek to nurture the positive impact the pro-
gram has on the Florida thoroughbred industry and the
community as a whole. Included in this group are the
FTBOA, Florida Thoroughbred Charities, OBS Co.,
Gulfstream Park, Calder Racecourse, Tampa Bay
Downs, FHBPA and the NationalTRF.As evidenced by
the support it receives, it is dif-
ficult to imagine an organiza-
tion connected with Florida
thoroughbred racing that would
not want to see succeed a pro-
gram that provides a chance for thoroughbreds to have
successful post-racing career and the means to support
the permanently retired horses that prompt students to
say of them “he awakens the inside of my heart and fills
my spirit with promise.” After all, there is no downside
to lifting up those around us, both human and horse, it
is a winning combination. �
Melanie laCour is a Graduate Intern at FTBOA. She earned herB.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky and her J.D.from the University of Kentucky College of Law. This fall she willbe attending the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Pro-gram as a candidate for a master’s degree. In addition to being aracing enthusiast, Melanie has ridden hunter/jumpers for 20 years.When not at school, she resides in Miami, Fla., with her husband.
54 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
None of these women are ashamed to admit they have made mistakes intheir past, speaking candidly about their sentences and time in prison. How-ever they do not dwell on it and they live their lives looking forward not back.
The program and theindustry have helped
them gain a clear view ofa bright future and
provided them a path onwhich to advance beyond
their past and theresources to put their
mistakes behind them.
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Call todayfor your Stallion Register contract.
352.732.8858
Don’t Delay!
www.facebook.com/thefloridahorse
Project1:Layout 1 7/25/12 10:33 AM Page 1
56 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
Hello to all! With all the great rains we have
been getting and hurricane season now under-
way, it seemed like a good time to talk more
about an efficient, cost-effective and pretty way to help
save your pastures and reduce stormwater runoff. I have
spoken about this in previous articles, but have only
touched on lightly. Help protect your pastures from
runoff by planting rain gardens.
Rain gardens are shallow depressions that utilize
specifically placed, deep-rooted native plants and grasses
to help decrease and purify storm water runoff. But the
benefits for farms gowell beyond just helping to improve
water quality. I have seenmany farms over the years that
suffer from terrible erosion due to storm water runoff;
the massive amounts of water coming from that runoff
creates streams and lakes, causing paddocks to become
useless. For example, I went to a beautiful farm not long
ago that suffered from massive pasture erosion due to
runoff coming from the road. Constructing a rain garden
where the rain starts into the pasture would not only
make for a beautiful place to be seen from the road, it
could also potentially eliminate the runoff that causes the
extreme erosion to the paddock each year.
A rain garden mimics the natural absorption and
pollutant removal activities of a forest, meadow or a
large, grassy pasture with shrubbery; it can absorb as
much as 30 to 40% more runoff than a standard lawn.
Capturing rainwater in a rain garden, which will hold
the water for a short time, thus allowing it to be slowly
released into the soil, can reduce the rush coming from
a large storm – quickly, neatly and naturally. It can be
a dug “depression”, or it could be started in a natural
depression area where rain normally puddles. So, for
the time spent doing some digging and the cost of
planting some inexpensive native plants, pastures and
fence lines may no longer suffer from a gulley or stream
caused by summer’s heavy rains, potentially saving a
lot of money and eliminating hours needed to then fix
the problem each time a serious rain hits the farm.
http://www.tappwater.org/raingardens.aspxhttp://www.epa.gov/greeningepa/stormwater/edison_rain_garden.htm
Above are two good web sites to check out concern-
ing rain gardens. Explanations on what a rain garden
is, how it can improvewater quality, descriptions on how
to design and build a garden, as well as varieties of
plants to use can be found on these sites. An extremely
important thing to keep in mind is that the rain garden
be placed early in the path of the rain flow, so the “river
“that forms through the paddocks as a result of sum-
mer’s rains can be dealt with early, before it has time to
become that powerful river or large pond.
Planting trees and shrubs are other excellent ways to
soak up tremendous amounts of storm water. The im-
mense root systems on trees allow them to soak up lots
of water over large areas. Just the tree canopy itself will
help disperse and slow the rain, increasing the ground
absorption areas for the water. Trees, shrubs and other
groundcover can absorb asmuch as fourteen timesmore
rainwater that simply having a lawn, so planting them
is another easy, pretty and highly effective solution.
This year, if you have the reoccurring problem of get-
ting your pastureswashed away, consider putting in a rain
garden or plantingmore trees and shrubs; it might be just
the thing needed to help stop runoff, help purify storm
water, eliminate or cut down erosion and leave your farm
looking more beautiful than ever. You can always con-
tact me or your local Extension agent if you need any
help with starting your rain garden.
As always, keep up the good man-
agement practices! �
FARM MANAGEMENT
Schedule a Farm Call: 352-671-8792
JamieA. Cohen • Farm Outreach CoordinatorUF IFAS/Marion County Extension [email protected]
If you have the reoccurring problem of getting your pastureswashed away, consider putting in a rain garden or planting more
trees and shrubs; it might be just the thing needed to help stoperosion and leave your farm looking more beautiful than ever.
Help SaveYour PasturesStop Stormwater Runoff
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 57
FLORIDA Focus
Robert Abbo’s Immortal Eyes took the $70,000 Charles Town
Dash Jun. 30 for the third consecutive year, showing no signs of slow-
ing down at the age of seven.
Trained by Damon Dilodovico, Immortal Eyes has been almost
unbeatable at four and one-half furlongs at Charles Town, winning
seven of his eight career races at that distance at the West Virginia
oval. Bred in Florida by Adena Springs and by the Stonewall Farm
Ocala stallion Greatness, Immortal Eyes had to fight for this
Charles Town Dash having found himself in a speed duel with Map
of the World andYukon Wildcat down the backstretch in a blazing
opening quarter mile in :211⁄5. Those three kept at it through another
fast furlong completing the half mile in :441⁄5 but only Immortal
Eyes was able to accelerate down the stretch and win by a two-
length margin in :501⁄5.
Immortal Eyes has won two of three starts this year and 11 of 32
career outings and sports a lifetime bankroll of over $540,000.
Successful Song Sings at MonmouthLive Oak Plantation’s Florida-bred Successful Song cruised
home to a 3¼ length score in the $75,000 Lighthouse Stakes Jun.
30 at Monmouth Park.
In the mile and a sixteenth Lighthouse, contested over a fast
main track, Successful Song battled early before letting Cascabella
take command down
the backstretch. Turn-
ing for home, Success-
ful Song moved inside
that rival and kicked
clear for the open
length victory.
Trained by Eddie
Plesa, Jr., Successful
Song stopped the timer
in 1:46.22 and re-
turned $12.60, $5.40 and $3.60. Cascabella completed the $99 ex-
acta and paid $10 to place and $6.80 to show. It was another 7¾
lengths back to Daring Reality, who rallied to pay $3.80 to show.
“She broke well today and showed really good speed,” said win-
ning jockey Angel Serpa. “We were going fast down the back-
stretch, so I took a hold and let the other horse (Cascabella) go.
When the rail opened up around the turn, I sent her through and she
took off.”
The Lighthouse win was the first in three starts this season and
sixth overall for Successful Song, a 5-year-old mare by Successful
Appeal from the Sultry Song mare Song for Annie. The $45,000
winner’s share of the purse boosted her lifetime bankroll to
$292,038.
John Johny Jak Gets Jiggy in KerlanMaking his first start in more than seven months, Florida-bred
John Johny Jak was the upset winner of the $70,800 Robert K. Ker-
lan Memorial Handicap Jul. 1 at Betfair Hollywood Park.
Unfortunately, the 5-
year-old son of Journey-
man Stud stallion
Wildcat Heir suffered an
injury to his right front
shoulder while pulling up
after the finish. He was
returned to trainer Kristin
Mulhall’s barn for further
evaluation, according to
the Betfair Hollywood
Park stewards.
Owned by Kretz Racing LLC, John Johny Jak received a ground
saving trip from leading jockey Rafael Bejarano while tracking the
pace set by favored Florida-bred Comma to the Top, split horses at
the top of the stretch and went on to win by 1¾ lengths.
Racing for the first time since he finished fourth in the Grade 2
Citation Handicap won last Nov. 26 by Florida-bred Jeranimo, who
captured the Grade 1, $300,000 Shoemaker Mile Saturday, John
Johny Jak ran the six furlongs on turf in 1:08.63.
Out of the Saint Ballado mare Pure Adrenaline, John Johny Jak
earned his ninth win in 25 starts and pushed his bankroll to
$342,279. He was bred in Florida by Murray Smith of Ocala.
The 7-1 fourth choice in the field of eight, John Johny Jak paid
$16.40, $7.20 and $3.40. Obviously (IRE), the 5-2 second choice,
returned $4.20 and $3.20 while finishing 2¼ lengths in front of
Comma to the Top. The 19-10 favorite who had won the Grade 3
Generous in 2010 in his lone previous start over the Betfair Holly-
wood Park grass, Comma to the Top paid $3 to show.
Florida-bred Immortal Eyes
Immortal Eyes Takes Dash
MON
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Florida-bred John Johny Jak
BENO
IT&
ASSO
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ESPH
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Florida-bred Successful Song
DENV
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58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
One of the most common summer-time ques-tions I receive is, “How do I get rid of the scumand/or slime growing in my farm pond?”
The scum/slime in question is algae.Algae are in theplant kingdom, but technically they are not plants.A di-verse group of organisms, algae survive in even theharshest habitats. From the dry desert, to theArctic Cir-cle, to boiling springs, these organisms have found awayto extract enough from their environment to live. Algaerange in size frommicroscopic to meters long and fromsingle-celled to complex organisms that rival large plants.These organisms may look like true plants, but unlikeplants, algae do not have roots or true stems and leaves.
In Florida’s freshwaters, algae are what make thewater green. Greenwater is not necessarily undesirable,and neither are algae. In fact, algae are essential to theecosystem and to life.A primary component of the foodweb, algae provide food for all types of animals, in-cluding fish, insects, mollusks, zooplankton (micro-scopic animals), and humans.
Algae blooms occur when algae grows quickly anddensely, often in warm, nutrient-rich waters. Althoughthese blooms are natural, many people don’t like theirappearance.Algae blooms are commonly green, but canappear blue-green, brown, red, or violet.
Algae need light and nutrients, such as nitrogen andphosphorous, to grow.The amount of growth depends onthe amount of nutrients in a system. Since algae needlight to carry on photosynthesis, light penetration into thewater is another limiting factor. Some blooms can be sodense they actually deplete oxygen levels, andmay causeother organisms that use oxygen, such as desirableaquatic plants and fish, to become stressed and/or die.
Copper has been used for many years as a tool foralgae control in freshwater farm ponds. It has been usedto successfully to control both filamentous algae andhigher forms such asChara (“Stinkweed”). The problemwith the use of copper is that there is a thin line that sep-arates effective treatment levels from overdoses, whichcan kill fish. It is important to understand how to use cop-per and the precautions necessary for effective treatment.
Copper comes in several formswhich can be used inwater. The cheapest, most common form is copper sul-fate, which is available either as a crystal or a powder.Copper sulfate is water soluble, and dissolves fairly eas-ily when mixed with water. Several companies marketcopper in liquid and crystal forms.
Since the toxicity of copper to fish increases as thetotal alkalinity decreases, it is necessary to measure thetotal alkalinity of the water (NOT HARDNESS or pH),before using any copper treatment.A good rule of thumbis to divide the total alkalinity (in parts per million) by100 to get the concentration of copper sulfate to use in
parts per million (1 ppm = 1 milligram/liter). For exam-ple, if alkalinity of thewater is determined to be 150 ppm,the amount of Copper Sulfate needed would be calcu-lated: 150/100 = 1.5 ppm. 1.5 ppm=1.5milligrams/liter.
Florida’s waters are extremely variable in alkalinity,so if the alkalinity of the water is not known, don’tguess.Measure the alkalinity of the water prior to treat-ing with copper. If total alkalinity is less than 50 ppm,copper treatments are not recommended due to the highrisk of killing fish. If total alkalinity is over 250 ppm, donot use more than 2.5 ppm of copper sulfate.
Copper sulfate is much heavier thanwater, and if justthrown into the pond it will sink to the bottom andchemically bind there where it will not have a chance tohave an effect on the algae.When using copper sulfate,it should be first dissolved in water.After weighing theamount of copper sulfate needed to treat the pond, mixthe copper sulfate in water, making sure that it all dis-solves. It is recommended to dilute copper sulfate withas muchwater as possible and take great care when dis-tributing it, avoiding the creation of areas with higherconcentrations, commonly known as “hot spots.”
When using a commercially formulated copper, fol-low the label instructions for dosage rates. The liquidforms can be applied directly to the water, but it is rec-
ommended that they are first mixed with water to dilutethem.Aswith copper sulfate, great care should be takento evenly disperse commercial formulations over the en-tire pond area, avoiding the creation of “hot spots”.
In a pond with algae, copper treatments can causeoxygen concentrations to drop, whichmay result in fishkills. Pond algae are a major source of oxygen produc-tion and by removing it, this source of oxygen is alsoremoved. Additionally, oxygen will be consumed asalgae decompose. If you are treating to kill algae, eithertreat in a series of smaller doses over time or have emer-gency aeration available.
Adapted from:1) Plant Management in FloridaWatershttp://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/manage/2) Use of Copper in Freshwater Aquaculture and FarmPonds by C.Watson & P.E.Yanonghttp://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fa008
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING
by UF/IFAS MarionCountyLivestock Agent
Mark Shuffitt
Scum of the Pond
The problem withthe use of copper tocontrol algae is thatthere is a thin line
that separates effec-tive treatment levels
from overdoses,which can kill fish.It is important tounderstand how touse copper and theprecautions neces-sary for effective
treatment.
Shuffitt_Aug_2012.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 11:20 AM Page 1
While Tanourin Stable’s Florida-bred
Salamera squeezed out a hard-fought neck
victory in the $100,000 J J’s Dream at
Calder Casino & Race Course Jun. 30,
Gilbert Campbell’s Florida-bred Two T’s At
Two B was much more emphatic in assert-
ing his dominance over the local 2-year-old
scene when taking the $100,000 Frank
Gomez Memorial by 5¼ lengths.
Trained by Kathleen O’Connell, TwoT’s
At Two B was never threatened at any point
during his career debut back onMay 19, and
the same remained true for the Frank
Gomez as the homebred son of Untuttable
was content to press the pace through an
opening quarter in :22.13 before taking con-
trol of the race with a four-wide move on
the turn, drawing clear of his overmatched
rivals, and coasting under the wire comfort-
ably in front while stopping the timer in
1:06.56 for the 5½-furlong trip.
“I’ve worked a couple of these other
horses in the morning, so I knew he was bet-
ter, and I wasn’t worried about much going
into the race,” winning jockey Eduardo
Nunez said. “And when I looked up in the
stretch and saw him (on the infield video
screen), I said to myself ‘wow, look at him
just take off.’ He’s already a nice horse, and
I think he is going to be a real nice horse.”
Sent from the gate as the 1.90-1 favorite,
Florida-bred Joshua’s Comprise, still a
maiden, closed well to finish second and it
was 1½ lengths back to
Florida-bred Billos Boy in
third.
One race earlier, in the
J J’s Dream, Salamera
fought past a stubborn
Florida-bred Impossible
Mary in mid-stretch and
then dug in gamely to
keep that pesky rival at
bay, running 5½ furlongs
in 1:05.70 under jockey
Angel Castillo, in town from Parx Racing in
Philadelphia to ride the filly for fellow
Venezuelan Rodolfo Garcia.
“Once I knew I needed a rider, I imme-
diately pointed toAngel as the guy I wanted
to ride,” Garcia said. “He
was probably one of the
best riders ever in
Venezuela, and he rode
almost all of my stakes
winners down there. He
used to ride for me here
at Calder like 10 years
ago, and even though
I’ve got very good riders
here, he is a personal
friend of mine, so I
called him, and he came
to ride.”
Salamera was a bit reserved through the
opening stages of the J J’s Dream, settling
in sixth-place early while Florida-bred
Jewel in the Sky ran on the lead through
fractions of :22.28 and :46.20.
“My horse was bothered a bit early on,
but I was able to get my horse settled and
she was going along well,” Castillo said.
As the field of fillies moved through the
turn, odds-on favorite Impossible Mary
moved to the front, but was immediately
tracked and then pressured by Salamera.
“I started moving up pretty easy, and
when I told my filly to get into the race, she
really picked up,” Castillo said. “And from
that point, I knew my horse was going bet-
ter than the other one (Impossible Mary)
was. I knew I would win.”
Castillo was correct in that assessment,
but the result was far from over, even when
Salamera grabbed the lead in mid-stretch as
Impossible Mary fought back along the rail
and made a race of it through the wire.
“My filly showed some guts,” Castillo
added.
THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012 59
Florida-bred Salamera
COAD
YPH
OTO
FLORIDA FocusTwo T’s and Two B, Salamera
From page 57—Compiled by Brock Sheridan
John Henry Cooper, JRFebruary 8, 1958 – May 20, 2012
John Henry Cooper Jr., 54 of Silver
Springs, FL, passed away peacefully at
his home, Sunday, May 20th, 2012 with
his family by his side. Born in Pontiac,
Michigan, he was a resident of Florida
since 1978. John was employed with
Joshen Paper and Packing Company
where he worked for 11 years. He was
also a private thoroughbred horse
breeder. He dedicated his life to care,
love and breeding of thoroughbred
horses. He was a member of The Florida
Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’
Association.
He is survived by his devoted wife of
16 years, Marianne Cooper of Silver
Springs, FL.
In lieu of flowers, please make contri-
butions to: The Florida Thoroughbred
Charities,
801 SW 60thAve, Ocala, Fla. 34474
COAD
YPH
OTO
Florida-bredTwo Tʼs At Two Be
Focus.qxd:Layout 1 8/2/12 9:12 AM Page 59
60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
As we navigate through months and years
of progress and development at the
Florida Agriculture Center and Horse
Park, it’s clearer to me all the time that we have
something special here in the heart of Florida. We
have a 500-acre gift in own backyard that is un-
like anything else in the state, and perhaps unique
to the rest of the world.
Where can you tie up your shoe laces and go for
a run on sweet pine needle-covered trails for miles
and miles…and see a baby deer on your journey?
Where can you bike under the shady coolness
of grand-daddy oaks and choose to either tackle
a mud puddle or steer clear and hit the more solid
route?
Where can you ride your horse on soft footing
in a pristine environment and stumble upon a pair
of nesting or hunting hawks or bald eagles?
Where can you spend a Saturday afternoon
watching international-level equestrian sports,
with a glass of Southern sweet tea or pristine Sil-
ver Springs water in hand, together with your
family?
Where can you lease a solid, safe, steady horse
to take you out on the trails for a leisurely ride
with trusted outfitters?
Where can you watch polo, compete in vari-
ous events, cheer on Olympians, or support your
local pony clubbers?
It’s right here at the Florida Agriculture Cen-
ter and Horse Park.
Last month, in addition to our regularly sched-
uled events, we put on an outdoor band concert as
a fund raiser at the park that attracted everyone
from dignitaries in high office to local trail riders,
polo players, families with young children,
equestrian clubs, the Marion Therapeutic Riding
Association, and a plethora of new friends. By
the end of the evening, we were all new contacts
making fun new opportunities.
Yes – the Florida Agriculture Center and
Horse Park offers acres and acres of outdoor ad-
venture. Miles and miles
of fun.
Right here in the heart
of Florida.
Come see us. Come
ride with us. Come volun-
teer with us or sponsor us.
You’ll be glad you did.
Your
Something ReallySpecial
FLORIDA HORSE PARK
Most sincerely,
Connie Duff Wise
President, Foundation for the Florida Horse Park
Five hundred unique acresright here in the heart of Florida
YourFloridaHorsePark.qx:Florida Horse_template 7/30/12 4:31 PM Page 1
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62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • AUGUST 2012
“Fleas can be taught nearly anythingthat a Congressman can.” – Mark Twain
Racing interests summoned before a Congres-
sional committee last month and subsequent
statements made by two senators left the distinct
impression that much danger is ahead. Federal involve-
ment in any aspect of enterprise, either public or private,
is always unwelcome and inevitably irreversible. Federal
regulation in its many forms is never good for business.
The scrutiny ofCongress is reason enough for concern.
While the sport’s various leaders and state-level regulatory
authorities have long been unsuccessful in bringing about
standard practices and uniformmedication rules, nothing
good will come from Federal intervention, which is now
a clear and present danger encouraged by an agenda-dri-
ven media without particular concern for fact.
If timing is everything there are, unfortunately, some
participants whose transgressions lend credence to those
whowould cast racing in a sinister light. Recent exposure
of the use of a potent opiate dermorphin by horsemen in
the Southwest has only emboldened those who would
deny the use of beneficial medications and have based
arguments primarily on inaccurate conclusions drawn
from faulty data and presented to people unable to de-
lineate between Ruidoso Downs and Saratoga.
Nothing good comes from Congress and its approval
ratings suggest strongly that the Federal government has
done poorly dealing with issues that its members are at
least in theory capable of understanding. Imagine the
chaos that would potentially follow a spate of federal reg-
ulations passed by the ignorant at the suggestion, essen-
tially, of a leftist media driven by the influence of the
NewYork Times and various animal rights groups.
At a Senate Commerce committee hearing last month
in Washington on “Medication and Performance En-
hancing Drugs in Horse Racing,” Sen.TomUdall, a De-
mocrat from New Mexico, said that despite its proud
heritage, “horse racing has run off the rails.”
SenatorUdall,who represents the citizens of the state in
which most of aforementioned dermorphin abuse is con-
centrated, has no background fromwhich to draw that con-
clusion or apply it to any jurisdiction beyondNewMexico.
Racing has its problems but is most certainly not “off the
rails.” Nor, as another senator suggests, is it necessary for
the Congress to complicate the issue with threats.
Commerce Committee chairman Sen. Jay Rocke-
feller, aWestVirginia Democrat, said that trainers caught
using drugs like dermorphin or cobra venom should be
banned from the sport. Since states have failed to do so,
Congress should step. Sen. Rockefeller is half right.
“In 1978, Congress passed the Interstate Horseracing
Act into law, and as a result, racetracks around the coun-
try have the benefit of simulcasting their racing signals
and accepting interstate wagers,” Rockefeller said. “De-
spite bestowing this unique status on the racing industry,
Congress did not impose any standards that address the
integrity of the sport, nor the welfare of jockeys, horses
or fans. I am prepared to examine whether or not race-
tracks continue to deserve this unique federal privilege.”
It is interesting that those who appear to have taken
positions at the front line of this issue are politicians from
states that exist in racing’s backwater.Yet, this in an omi-
nous threat that if carried out will bring the entireAmer-
ican racing industry to its knees.
Even while in the Congressional crosshairs, there is no
meaningful movement toward industry consensus on med-
ication policy. The overwhelming majority of owners and
trainers support thecontinueduseofLasixbuthas foundop-
position from others, including
the JockeyClub, themembersof
which support its elimination
evenwhile their horsespermitted to raceonmedication.Sci-
ence strongly supports the pro-Lasix argument.Theopposi-
tion comesmainly from peoplewith nothing at stake.
In an election year, racing interests may have some
time to unload the Congressional the gun as many law-
makers become occupied to the politician’s raison d’être
-- job retention. But who will raise the torch?
Themedication issuegoes far beyondLasix and inmany
areas reform is longoverdue.But lackof effective leadership
and central authority, leaves the door ajar without a lock. It
may be that Federal intervention is inevitable because the
racing industry has failed so miserably to produce national
leadership.The industry is vulnerablewhen the last thing it
needs is strangulation by Federal regulation with the noose
in the hands of a racing czar.That will be its demise. �
PLAYER’S PAGE
by Paul Moran
The medication issue goes far beyond Lasix and in many areas reform is long overdue.But lack of effective leadership and central authority, leaves the door ajar without a lock.
Federal RegulationGoodForBusiness?
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