Florida Focus
by Brock Sheridan
Florida-bred The Goddess Lyssa Goes Gate to Wire to Win Minaret Florida-bred Goddess Lyssa broke like a shot from post four and never looked back on her way to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory in the $50,000 Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Feb. 13. The Minaret showcased a field of six fillies and mares, 4-years-old and older, who went six furlongs. Trained by Gerald Bennett for Mary K. Thomas in the name of her Team Equistaff Inc., the Goddess Lyssa led by a length-and-a-half ahead of Poseidon’s Passion in second with Heiressall to her inside in third as the Florida-bred trio completed the first-quarter-mile in :22.23 on the track listed as good. The Goddess Lyssa went around the turn without a threat and widened her lead to two lengths at the top of the stretch as she clicked off a :45.07 half-mile split. She extended her margin in the run to the wire and finished up in 1:10.02 as Bronx Beauty rallied from fourth to finish second, a half-length better than supplemental entry Poseidon’s Passion in third. They were followed in order by Heiressall, Caught Up in You and Tale of Success. Florida-bred The Goddess Lyssa SV Photography The final time was just .39 seconds off Spanish Concert’s 2017 stakes record. Bennett said he thought the track record of OBITUARY 1:08.67, set by Florida-bred It’s Me Mom in John Fernung 2012, could have possibly been threatened had the Minaret been run on a track listed as fast. Longtime thoroughbred horseman John Fernung, 79, passed It’s Me Mom is also a winner of the away on March 5, 2020, in Ocala, Fla. In the early 1970s, Fernung Minaret having won the 2011 renewal. was the racing manager for the powerful Dan Lasater Racing It was the second consecutive year BenStable. Lasater Stable was the leading money winning stable in nett won the Minaret having taken the race in the country five consecutive years and won three Eclipse Awards 2020 with the recently retired Florida-bred during that time. During Fernung’s tenure as Lasater’s racing champion Lady’s Island. manager, the stable raced Grade 1 winners, Hot N Nasty, Honky After the race, Centeno said he was pleased Star and Royal Glint among others. with how she handled the off track and that In the late 1970s, Fernung relocated from the racetrack to John Fernung The Goddess Lyssa continues to improve. become Lasater’s Farm Manager in Ocala. During the next few “For her first time on a muddy track, she years Fernung and Lasater developed a nationally renowned stallion station. Among the ran really good,” Centeno said. “She likes to stallions they brought to Ocala were North America’s leading sire in 1981, Nodouble, his run on the lead, and I got her to relax well. sire, Noholme II, Holy Bull’s sire, Great Above, and Silver Charm’s sire, Silver Buck. “She was a little nervous at the start of her When Lasater dispersed his thoroughbred holdings in 1984, Fernung purchased the career, but she keeps getting better and [Benone-thousand acre facility in partnership with another Eclipse Award winner, John Franks, nett] is doing a great job with her.” to form Southland Farm. During his tenure with Franks, Fernung syndicated At The Fresh off of a 10-length score in a secondThreshold, sire of 1992 Kentucky Derby (G1)-winner, Lil E Tee. level, $32,000 optional claiming allowance Fernung also mentored several members of his family who entered the thoroughbred inrace on Jan. 6 at Tampa Bay Downs in which dustry. Among them is his brother, Brent Fernung, who along with his wife, Crystal are the she also led the six furlong test from start to owners of Journeyman Stud in Ocala. Fernung’s nephew, Scott Warner is the farm manager finish, The Goddess Lyssa went to the post as of Robert S. Evan’s Courtland Farm in Maryland. John Fernung’s son, Andrew is the latest the 4-5 favorite and paid $3.80 to win. member of the family to enter the thoroughbred industry. Andrew is currently the sales coBred in Florida by Brent and Crystal Ferordinator for Eddie Woods Stable. nung, The Goddess Lyssa is by Fury Kapcori, John Fernung is also survived by daughter Nicole Fernung, grandson Bryce (Andrew and who stands at the Fernung’s Journeyman Stud, Cally), brothers Jerry Fernung (Barbee) and Andrew S. Fernung, sister Linda Warner and and she is out of Amazing Beauty, by Disthree nephews and four nieces. ■ ■
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • APRIL / MAY 2021
