OBS MARCH SALE

OBS March Indicates Strong Market SERITA HULT PHOTO

BY BROCK SHERIDAN

Officials at Ocala Breeders’ Sales, consignors and others in the thoroughbred industry felt confident that the 2021 OBS March Sale of 2-year-olds in training would be an improvement compared to last year’s March Sale when the COVID-19 pandemic first began to take hold in Florida and throughout United States. But this year’s two day auction conducted March 16-17 exceeded expectations on several fronts.

It proved the market was strong with solid gross sales of $38,265,000 from 326 head for an average of $117,377. That compared to 2020 when 295 juveniles generated $27,349,500 and an average of $92,710.

But perhaps the most encouraging figures reflected in the median, which jumped 25% from $50,000 in 2020 to $62,500 this year with a 16.2% buyback compared to 38.8% in 2020. Those numbers specifically reflected a strong demand for horses representing the lower and middle segments of both horse inventory and demand.

“Going into [the March Sale this year] we felt positive,” OBS president Tom Ventura said. “As we got closer to the sale, there were a lot of people on the grounds looking at horses, so we were optimistic.”

Even with the large pre-sale attendance however, OBS officials remained cautious with their optimism. In recent years, OBS has attempted to market the March Sale to a more diversified group of customers.

“One thing you never know, even with the people that are here, is if the market would remain to be polarized,” Ventura said. “And it turned out to be the opposite. There was a lot of depth to the market and a lot of depth to the buyers.

“We’ve been working for a while to expand our offerings during the March Sale. And we saw that coming in 2018 and 2019. We were convincing that second tier of buyers that there would be horses that would fit their needs and budgets. We were seeing more and more of them participating in March in addition to the higher end buyers.

The top seller came on the second day when Hip 311, a daughter of Practical Joke consigned by Top Line Sales LLC as an agent, went to Hideyuki Mori for $750,000. The bay filly, whose eighth-mile in :9.80 was co-fastest at March 13 under tack session, is out of champion Valiant Emilia (Per), by Pegasus Wind, from the family of recent Tampa Bay Derby (Grade 2)-winner Helium.

Hip 547, a daughter of American Pharoah whose quarter-mile in :20.80 was co-fastest at March 13, under tack session, was sold to Colombo Bloodstock Agency for $600,000. The bay filly, consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables, Inc., as an agent, is out of graded stakes-placed, stakes-winner Henny Jenney, by Henny Hughes, a half-sister to Grade 1 stakes-placed, stakes-winner Zeewat.

Spendthrift Farm and Myracehorse.com went to $575,000 for Hip 357, a son of Kantharos consigned by Woodford Thoroughbreds as an agent. The chestnut colt, whose quarter-mile in :20.40 was the cofastest on March 13, is a full-brother to stakes-winner Adventurous Lady out of Ari the Adventurer, by Pioneerof the Nile.

Hip 295, a daughter of Uncle Mo consigned by Pike Racing as an agent, was sold to Live Oak Plantation for $550,000. The bay filly, who breezed a furlong in :10.20 on March 12, is out of Town Tour, by Speightstown, a half-sister to Grade 1-winner Moonshine Memories.

Sean Flanagan paid $550,000 for Hip 504, a daughter of American Pharoah consigned by Eddie Woods as an agent. The bay filly, who breezed a quarter-mile in :21.20, is out of Forgotten Miss, by Afleet Alex, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Woodlander.

Hip 507, American Passport, a son of American Pharoah who breezed an eighth-mile in :10.20, went to Hideyuki Mori for $550,000. The bay colt, consigned by Jesse Hoppel’s Coastal Equine LLC as an agent, is out of French Passport, by Elusive Quality, a half-sister to graded stakes-winner Smooth Air.

Hip 531, a son of Gormley consigned by Eddie Woods as an agent, went to Breeze Easy LLC for $550,000. The bay colt, whose furlong on Saturday in :9.80 was the day’s co-fastest, is a half-brother to stakeswinner Little Kansas out of Green Eyed Cat, by Tale of the Cat. ■

By JoAnn Guidry

The 2020 class of Florida-bred champions definitely proved themselves worthy of their garnered titles. As a group, the eight champions won 19 stakes races on the season. Seven of the eight horses were graded-stakes winners, including three Grade 1 stakes winners. Starship Jubilee was the only repeat champion, collecting her third set of dual crowns as Florida-bred champion older female/female turf horse. A Grade 1 stakes winner, Starship Jubilee was also the championship group’s leader by stakes wins (5) and money earned ($921,682) on the season.

Also worth noting is that two champions were homebreds in Golden Pal and March to the Arch. Five of the champions were sold at public auction: Princess Secret, Collusion Illusion, Speech, C Z Rocket and Starship Jubilee. The latter two are also former claimers who became Florida-bred champions, proving that racing luck is indeed fickle.

GOLDEN PAL

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING

In but his second try, retired California insurance businessman Randall E. Lowe cashed the Breeders’ Cup golden ticket with Florida-bred Golden Pal. In 2015, Lady Shipman, Golden Pal’s dam, finished second by a neck in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1). And both Lady Shipman and Golden Pal were RNAs at sales, leading Lowe to race them with outstanding results. Lady Shipman became a multiple graded-stakes winner of $902,387 and now the dam of a Breeders’ Cup champion. Golden Pal, who captured the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2), has to date earned $593,056. At this time, Golden Pal and Lady Shipman are the only horses that Lowe owns. Thanks to Lowe’s longtime association with Ryan Barbazon, he sent Lady Shipman to Ocala-based Barbazon Racing & Bloodstock where she foaled her 2018 Uncle Mo colt. After receiving his yearling prep at Barbazon’s operation, the colt was consigned

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GOLDEN PAL 2018 bay colt by Uncle Mo – Lady Shipman, by Midshipman Breeder: Randall E. Lowe Owner: Ranlo Investments LLC Trainer: Wesley A. Ward

2020 Race Record/Earnings 4-2-2-0/$593,056

2020 Black type Stakes Record 1st- Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) 1st – Skidmore Stakes 2nd – Norfolk Stakes (G2)

Florida-bred Golden Pal in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint ■ Keeneland Photo

FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS

Florida-bred Princess Secret (inside) in the Susan’s Girl Stakes ■ Ryan Thompson Photo by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the 2019 Keeneland September sale. A RNA at $325,000, Lowe struck an afterthe-sale deal with Coolmore, giving them 60 days to return the colt. When Coolmore returned the colt and an attempt to put together an ownership deal fell through, Lowe sent his horse back to Barbazon for early breaking and training.

Named Golden Pal and trained by Wesley Ward, the colt made his first start for Ranlo Investments LLC on April 17, 2020, in one of the first races of the year for 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park. He finished second, a length and three-quarters behind Gatsby in a four-and-a-half furlongs maiden special weight. Ward, who annually saddles horses at the Ascot meet in England, shipped Golden Pal with his contingent. On June 19, Golden Pal finished second by a neck to The Lir Jet (Ire) in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes on the turf.

Two months later, Golden Pal broke his maiden and became a black type stakes winner in the $85,000 Skidmore Stakes on Aug. 21 at Saratoga. Golden Pal bested Fauci by three-and-a-half lengths, winning in 1:00.88 for the fiveand-a-half furlongs on the turf.

Golden Pal would not start again until the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2) on Nov. 6 at Keeneland. Tabbed as the heavy favorite, Golden Pal led from gate to wire to score a three-quarters length victory over Cowan. Ubettabelieveit (Ire) finished third. Winning time for the five and a half furlongs on the turf was 1:02.82. Golden Pal became the first Florida-bred to win the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint and the 29th Florida-bred Breeders’ Cup champion.

PRINCESS SECRET

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY

PRINCESS SECRET 2018 bay filly by Khozan – Golden Horseshoe, by Belong to Me Breeders: Brent & Crystal Fernung Owner/Trainer: Daniel Pita

2020 Race Record/Earnings 5-3-2-0/$434,300

2020 Black Type Record 1st – My Dear Girl Stakes (FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Series) 1st – Susan’s Girl Stakes (FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Series) 2nd – Desert Vixen Stakes (FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Series)

Princess Secret’s precocious talent was not a secret for long. She broke her maiden impressively at and then quickly became a black type stakes winner of $434,300. Owned and trained by Daniel Pita, Princess Secret began her racing career on May 7, 2020, at Gulfstream Park in a maiden special weight.

She cruised to a victory, beating Briella by four lengths. Her winning time for the four-and-a-half furlongs was :51.94. Princess Secret was then second in a second-condition, $60,000 allowance optional claiming and to Go Jo Jo Go in the $100,000 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and

Owners’ Association Florida Sire Series Desert Vixen Stakes on Aug. 1 at Gulfstream Park. But Princess Secret hit her stride in the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes

Series Susan’s Girl on Aug. 29 at Gulfstream Park. Bumped at the start by rival Go Jo Jo Go, Princess Secret quickly recovered and pressed Lyrical before taking the lead at the half-mile marker. She then battled Oh Deborah before pulling away to win by three-quarters of a length. Go Jo Jo Go finished third. The winning time for the seven-furlongs was 1:23.02. With her first black type win taken care of, Princess Secret was primed for the $400,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Series My Dear Girl

Stakes on Sept. 26 at Gulfstream Park. Pushed wide at the start by Alluramore, Princess Secret gamely raced on four wide and engaged leader

Restofthestory on the far turn. The pair raced in tandem down the stretch with Princess Secret prevailing by a neck over Restofthestory. Big Rings got up for the show spot. The clock was stopped in 1:45.13 for the mile-and-onesixteenths.

Bred by Brent and Crystal Fernung, Princess Secret is by 2020 leading Florida sire Khozan out of Golden Horsehoe, by Belong to Me. Khozan, who is owned by a syndicate, stands at the Fernungs’ Ocala-based Journeyman Stallions. Consigned by Journeyman Bloodstock Services to the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s October yearling sale, Princess Secret sold for $30,000 to Manuel Pita.

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD COLT/GELDING

Having already become a graded-stakes winner as a juvenile, Collusion Illusion posted an even better sophomore season. Collusion Illusion added two more graded-stakes wins to his resume, including a Grade 1 stakes victory.

Collusion Illusion, trained by Mark Glatt, opened the 2020 season with a facile three-length win in a secondlevel, $62,5000 optional claiming allowance event on May 17 at Santa Anita Park. Now properly tuned up, Collusion Illusion next entered the gates for the Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) on June 20 at Florida-bred Collusion Illusion in the Santa Anita Park. He stalked the pace with Bing Crosby Stakes ■ Benoit Photo opening fractions of :21.90, :44.73 before engaging Ragtime Blues and drawing clear to win by three-and-a-quarter lengths. Howbeit was third. Winning time for the six and a half furlongs was 1:16.03.

Next on the agenda was the Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) on Aug. 1 at Del Mar. Collusion Illusion broke seventh of eight and raced three wide around the turn. Opening fractions were a sizzling :21.58, :44.73 and :57.46. Collusion Illusion angled and rallied on the inside to best Lexitonian by a determined nose. Coming in third was Law Abidin Citizen. Final time for the six furlongs was 1:10.41.

In the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) on Sept. 27, Collusion Illusion finished third to fellow Florida-bred champion C Z Rocket. After a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1), Collusion Illusion wrapped up the season with a third to Charlatan in the Malibu Stakes (G1) on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park. On the year, he banked $301,800.

Racing for the partnership of Dan J. Agnew, Jerry Schneider, Rodney E. Orr COLLUSION ILLUSION and MyRacehorse.com, Collusion Illusion 2017 bay colt by Twirling Candy – Natalie Grace, by First Dude was bred by Donald R. Dizney. A 2017 colt Breeder: Owners: Donald R. Dizney Dan J. Agnew, Jerry Schneider, Rodney E. Orr &by Twirling Candy out of the First Dude mare Na- MyRacehorse.com talie Grace, Collusion Illusion was consigned by Trainer: Mark Glatt Lane’s End to the 2018 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was purchased for $50,000 by Don’t 2020 Race Record/Earnings 6-3-0-2/$301,800 Tell My Wife Stables and sent to Ocala-based Mayberry Farm to be broken and trained. Mayberry 2020 Black Type Stakes Record Farm then consigned the colt to the 2019 OBS 1st – Bing Crosby Stakes (G1) April juvenile sale, where Mark Glatt, agent, signed 1st – Lazaro Barrera Stakes (G3) 3rd – Malibu Stakes (G1)the ticket for $300,00. 3rd – Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2)

FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS

Florida-bred Speech in the Ashland Stakes ■ Coady Photo No doubt Speech’s sterling championship season gave her owners much to pontificate about. The 3-year-old Mr Speaker filly became a Grade 1 stakes winner and set a track record at the same time. The 2020 season started off a little rocky for Speech, who raced for Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket Stables LLC and Heider Family Stables LLC. She finished second in a first condition, $80,000 optional claiming allowance race on Feb. 1 and then followed that with a runner-up finish to Donna Veloce in the Santa Isabel Stakes (G3) on March 8. Trainer Michael W. McCarthy then shipped Speech to Oaklawn Park where she faced the future Eclipse Award champion female sprinter Gamine in a $61,000 allowance race on May 2. As expected, Gamine sped to an easy lead but had to hold off a charging Speech to win by a neck. But on July 14, Oaklawn Park officials announced that Gamine had been disqualified from that win due to a positive drug test. Speech was then awarded the victory. Following a second to another future Eclipse Award winner in 2020 champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver in the Santa Anita Oaks (G2) on June 6, Speech headed for Keeneland for the Central Bank Ashland Stakes (G1) on July 11. Tracking the leaders four wide in opening fractions of :24.04. :47.14 SPEECH and 1:10.44, Speech rallied down the stretch and drew away handily for 2017 bay filly by Mr Speaker – Scribbling Sarah, by Freud a three-length victory. Speech’s winning time of 1:41.26 was a track Breeder: Gail Rice record for the mile-and-one-sixteenths. The previous record of 1:41.36 Owners: Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Madaket had been set by Seeking the Soul in 2017. Stables LLC & Heider Family Stables LLC Following the Ashland, Speech went to Churchill Downs for the Trainer: Michael W. McCarthy Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) where she finished fourth behind winner 2020 Race Record/Earnings Swiss Skydiver, but was eventually placed third when third-place finisher 7-2-3-0/$428,000 Gamine was disqualified. In seven starts on the season, Speech posted two wins and three sec2020 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Ashland Stakes (G1) onds to earn $428,000. 2nd – Santa Anita Oaks (G2) Bred by Gail Rice, Speech was consigned by Summerfield to the 2nd – Santa Ysabel Stakes (G3) 2018 OBS Winter Mixed Sale and sold for $65,000 to First Finds. SBM 3rd – Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) Training & Sales then consigned the filly to the 2019 OBS March juvenile sale, where she sold for $190,000 to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners.

C Z ROCKET

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION OLDER MALE 2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION MALE SPRINTER

C Z Rocket’s career has been a roller coaster. The 2014 City Zip gelding has gone from six-figure 2-year-old to claimer to graded stakes-winner to dual Florida-bred champion.

Bred by Vicente Perez’s Farm III Enterprises LLC and out of graded-stakes placed Successful Sarah, by Successful Appeal, C Z Rocket was consigned by Stephens Thoroughbreds to the 2016 OBS June juvenile sale. There he was purchased for a then sale record $800,000 by Frank Fletcher Racing Operations.

After winning the 2018 Kelly’s Landing Overnight Stakes at Churchill Downs, C Z Rocket went winless in 2019. He began 2020 racing in the claiming ranks. On April 30 at Oaklawn Park, trainer Peter Miller claimed fifth-placed C Z Rocket for $40,000 on behalf of Tom Kagele. The Florida-bred’s racing luck was about to change in stunning fashion.

C Z Rocket proceeded to go on a five-race winning streak. Now racing for Kagele, Madaket Stables LLC and Gary Barber, C Z Rocket won back-to-back $50,000 and $62,500 claiming races at Churchill Downs. Then on July 12 at Keeneland, the Miller trainee captured a second condition, $62,500 allowance optional race in track-record time. Setting fractions of :22.10, :44.80 and 1:08.79, C Z Rocket covered the six-and-a-half furlongs in 1:15 flat.

Elevated to graded stakes company, C Z Rocket did not disappoint his connections. On Aug. 29 in the Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) at Del Mar, C Z Rocket stalked leader Law Abidin Citizen in opening fractions of :23.10, :46.04 and 1:10. He rallied four wide down the stretch to best Flagstaff by half-a-length with Law Abidin Citizen holding on for third. Winning time for the seven furlongs was 1:22.25. And just like that, C Z Rocket had gone from claimer to graded stakes winner.

In the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) on September 27, C Z Rocket showed not only his blistering speed but his grittiness as well. Racing three-wide through the turn, he engaged leader Flagstaff, who had set early fractions of :22.33, :45.27, :57.13, just past the eighth pole. C Z Rocket dug in and prevailed by a head over Flagstaff with Florida-bred Collusion Illusion third. Time for the six furlongs was a swift 1:09.14.

C Z Rocket closed out the season with a second to Whitmore in the Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on Nov. 7 at Keeneland. Finishing third was Florida-bred Firenze Fire. In his best racing season to date in his career, C Z Rocket won two graded stakes and banked $651,901. C Z ROCKET 2014 bay gelding by City Zip – Successful Sarah, by Successful Appeal Breeder: Farm III Enterprises LLC Owners: Tom Kagele, Madaket Stables LLC & Gary Barber Trainer: Peter Miller

2020 Race Record/Earnings 9-5-1-0/$651,901

2020 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) 1st – Pat O’Brien Stakes (G2) 2nd – Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1)

Florida-bred C Z Rocket in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes ■ Benoit Photo

STARSHIP JUBILEE

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION OLDER FEMALE 2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION FEMALE TURF HORSE

Florida-bred Starship Jubilee in the Hillsborough Stakes ■ SV Photography

Since being claimed twice for $16,000 in 2017, Starship Jubilee put together a stellar racing career replete with signature moments. She became a multiple Grade 1 stakes winner who banked a career bankroll of $2,093,069. She was named the Florida-bred champion older female and female turf horse in 2017, 2019 and 2020. In addition, Starship Jubilee collected Sovereign Awards as Canadian champion turf female in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She was also named the 2019 Canadian Horse of the Year. Starship Jubilee’s 2020 season showed why she was a multiple champion. Raced by Bonnie Baskin’s Blue Heaven Farm and trained by Kevin Attard, opened up the season with her third consecutive win of the Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Stakes on Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park. Three weeks later, she romped to a four-and-a-quarter length victory in the Suwannee River

FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPIONS

Stakes (G3) on turf. Next up was a length winning tally in the Hillsborough Stakes (G2) on March 7 at Tampa Bay Downs on grass. Shipped to Saratoga, Starship Jubilee displayed her stone-cold racehorse bona fides in the grassy Ballston Spa Stakes (G2) on July 25. She prevailed by a neck over Call Me Love (GB) with Sistercharlie (Ire) third. Winning time for the mile-and-one-sixteenths turf test was 1:41.76. Considering her career success in Canada, it was only fitting that Starship Jubilee garnered her second Grade 1 career stakes win there. She had previously won the 2019 E.P. Taylor StakesSTARSHIP JUBILEE 2013 bay mare by Indy Wind – Perfectly Wild, by Forest Wildcat (G1) on grass at Woodbine. On Sept. 19 in the Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) on Breeder: William P. Sorren turf, she rallied five-wide to best Florida-bred March to the Arch by a length. Owner: Blue Heaven Farm War of Will, the 2019 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner, was third. Starship JuTrainer: Kevin Attard bilee’s winning time of 1:32.06 was only .31 of a second off Wise Dan’s course record. The only mare in the race, she became only the third mare to win the 2020 Race Record/Earnings 7-5-0-0/$921,682 Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) on grass. In one of racing’s fickle twists of fate, Starship Jubilee’s racing career ended 2020 Black Type Stakes Record in an unexpected way. In the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf 1st – Woodbine Mile Stakes (G1) (G1) on Nov. 7 at Keeneland, she stumbled out of Gate 1, unseated jockey1st – Ballston Spa Stakes (G2) 1st – Hillsborough Stakes (G2) Florent Geroux and ran riderless until caught by an outrider. Starship Jubilee 1st – Suwannee River Stakes (G2) was retired the next day, having earned $921,682 on the season. 1st – Sunshine Millions Filly & Turf Sprint Stakes A 2013 bay mare by Indy Wind out of Perfectly Wild, by Forest Wildcat, Starship Jubilee was bred by William P. Sorren. Consigned by The Acorn as an agent, to the 2014 OBS August yearling sale, she sold for $6,500 to Laurence F. Leavy. In the 2015 OBS April juvenile sale, Starship Jubilee was a $34,000 RNA. Raced by Starship Stables and trained by Steve Dwoskin, Starship Jubilee broke her maiden in a $35,000 maiden claiming race on June 1, 2016 at Gulfstream Park. On Jan. 4, 2017, she was claimed for $16,000 at Gulfstream Park by Jorge Navarro for JN Racing Stables Inc. On Feb. 12 at Gulfstream Park, Satrship Jubilee was again claimed for $16,000 by Tino Attard. She then raced for Kevin Attard and Soli Mehta, winning the 2017 Nassau Stakes (G2) and Dance Smartly Stakes (G2), both on the turf. Consigned by Brookdale Sales to the 2018 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, Starship Jubilee was a $425,000 RNA. She was then sold privately to Bonnie Baskin’s Blue Heaven Farm.

LADY’S ISLAND

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION FEMALE SPRINTER

Florida-bred Lady’s Island in the Sugar Swirl Stakes ■ Coglianese Photo

Lady’s Island’s racing form in 2020 was a consistent one of playing catch me if you can, leading to three stakes wins, including a graded victory.

After a second to Florida-bred Extravagant Kid in the Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes on Jan. 18 at Gulfstream Park, Lady’s Island quickly rebounded to score her first stakes win of the season a month later. On Feb. 15 in the $50,000 Minaret Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs, Lady’s Island broke hard and bobbled out of the gates. She quickly recovered and rocketed to the front of the pack, setting fractions of :21.60, :44.17 and :56.44. Lady’s Island crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of Into Chocolate with Caught Up in You third. Winning time for the six-furlong sprint was 1:09.97.

Back at Gulfstream Park for the $100,000 Musical Romance Stakes on May 16, the Georgina Baxter trainee was in top form. Right out of the gates, Lady’s Island snagged the lead and never relinquished it. She posted fractions of :22.17, :44.24 and 1:09.06 on her way to winning by three and three-quarter lengths over Florida-bred Wildwood’s Beauty with Florida-bred Bellera third. Lady’s Island stopped the clock in 1:22.86 for the seven furlongs.

Lady’s Island then finished third in the Ana T. Stakes at Gulfstream Park and

second in the Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga. Back at her Gulfstream Park home-base, Lady’s Island was soon in the winner’s circle again. On Dec. 12 in the Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3), Lady’s Island took the lead two jumps out of the gates and led by three at the top of the stretch. Her opening fractions were :22.12, :44.54 and :56.86. Bronx Beauty staged a furious rally in deep stretch but Lady’s Island staved her off to win by a head. Winning time for the six furlongs was 1:10.46. Lady’s Island has also won the 2019 Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3). Bred by Bailey Bolen, Lady’s Island earned $219,400 on the season for the partnership of Matties Racing Stable LLC and Averill Racing LLC. LADY’S ISLAND 2014 bay mare by Greatness – Broadway Martha, by Broad Brush Breeder: Bailey Bolen Owners: Matties Racing Stable LLC & Averill Racing LLC Trainer: Georgina Baxter

2020 Race Record/Earnings 8-4-2-1/$219,400

2020 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Sugar Swirl Stakes (G3) 1st – Minaret Stakes 1st – Musical Romance Stakes 2nd – Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) 2nd – Sunshine Millions Sprint Stakes 3rd – Ana T. Stakes

MARCH TO THE ARCH

2020 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION MALE TURF HORSE

Already an outstanding racehorse, graded stakes-winner March to the Arch put together a championship-worthy season in 2020. March to the Arch was one of seven 2020 Florida-bred stakes winners bred by Charlotte Weber’s Live Oak Stud and raced in her Live Oak Plantation silks.

March to the Arch kicked off the season in stakes-winning fashion on January 18 in the $150,000 Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes at Gulfstream Park. As is his habit, March to the Arch broke slowly and raced three wide in fifth place. The Mark Casse trainee went five-wide at the top of the stretch then kicked into high gear, besting Muggsamatic by a head at the wire. Galleon Mast got up for show. Winning time for the mile-and-one-sixteenth turf test was 1:41.75.

Moving to Woodbine later in the season, where March to the Arch won 2018 listed Toronto Cup Stakes, the 2015 Arch gelding was soon in the winner’s circle again. On August 15 in the King Edward Stakes (G2) on turf, March to the Arch broke casually and settled in on the rail at the back of the pack. Angled MARCH TO THE ARCH 2015 bay gelding by Arch – Daveron (Ger), by off the rail at the upper stretch, Black Bellamy Swan (Ire) March to the Arch displayed his Breeder: Live Oak Stud patented kick to win handily by two Florida-bred March to the Arch in the Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes Owner: Live Oak Plantation and a half lengths over Admiralty ■ Ryan Thompson Photo Trainer: Mark Casse Pier. Silent Poet finished third. 2020 Race Record/Earnings March to the Arch posted an impressive 1:32.28 winning time 8-2-1-2/$346,691 for the mile turf test.

A month later, March to the Arch finished second to Florida- 2020 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – King Edward Stakes (G2) bred Starship Jubilee in the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile Stakes on 1st – Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes grass. On the season, he was also third in the Tampa Bay Stakes 3rd – Tampa Bay Stakes (G3) (G3) and Appleton Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park, both on 3rd – Appleton Stakes (G3) grass, boosting his seasonal bankroll to $346,691.