Florida Horse 2012

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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

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DIRECTORS

CEO & EXECUTIVEVICE PRESIDENTLonny T. Powell

801 SW 60thAvenue • Ocala, Florida 34474(352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com

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© 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.

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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.


FloridaFOCUS

CC’s Pal Gets Graded Stakes Win in Vagrancy

Compiled by Brock Sheridan

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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

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Florida-bred Becauseiʼmworthit

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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

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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

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Florida-bred Fort Loudon



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

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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

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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.


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

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Turbo Compressor

Florida-bred Itʼs Me Mom



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

YPH

OTO

Callmethesqueeze Keeps Travelin’ at Calder

Florida-bredCallmethesqueeze

continues on pages 57, 59

Florida-bredBroken Dreams

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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

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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


“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

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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.” �


Circle Unbroken on hisway to a one-lengthvictory in the BashfordManor Stakes (G3)under the lights atChurchill Downs.


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


JOE

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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


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


“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.


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.


“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


RiceHorseSTABLES

Rice (above rightand opposite page)

and de Meric areoptimistic and confident

about engineering abusiness future.


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. �



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


“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


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


TurboCompressor.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 11:16 AM


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


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. �


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


Call: 352.732.8858


HitYourMark.qxd:Layout 1 6/13/11 2:54 PM Page 1


Project1:Florida Horse_template 7/31/12 12:35 PM


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

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. �


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•Litigation involving equine related matters•Tax and business structuring advice

•Preparation of partnership and syndication agreements•Preparation of training and boarding agreements

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“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

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.


FILEPH

OTO

MemoryLane.qxd:Florida Horse_template 8/2/12 1:31 PM


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


Advert isement

JIM LISA PHOTO

AcceleratedEarningPower2Sprds.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 11:06 AM

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



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




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 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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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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Leading Florida Freshman Sires

CIRCULAR QUAYCOWTOWN CAT GOT THE LAST LAUGHNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo


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


Leading Florida 2nd Crop Sires

SAINT ANDDANHIGH COTTON TEUFLESBERGNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo


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.


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“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.


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-


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


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.” �


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.

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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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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


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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Prison toPaddock


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


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-


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


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.


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!




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

Cohen_FarmManagement.qxd:Florida Horse_template 7/25/12 11:18 AM


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

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Florida-bred Successful Song

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From page 12—Compiled by Brock Sheridan



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.


Florida-bred Salamera

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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

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Florida-bredTwo Tʼs At Two Be



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

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“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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Florida Horse 2012

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