THE BROCK TALK

Brock Sheridan Editor-in-Chief

Florida Equine Communications

JOHN D. FILER PHOTO

Kentucky Recognition for Florida-breds

Congratulations to Charlotte Weber and her Live Oak Plantation on qualifying yet another homebred in the Curlin Florida Derby presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm at Xalapa (Grade 1) runnerup Soup and Sandwich for the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). I write this in mid-April— but should he start, Soup and Sandwich will be the fifth Derby starter bred by her Live Oak Stud and raced in the notable white, red and blacks silks of her Live Oak Plantation. Soup and Sandwich will also be her second Derby starter in three years following Win Win Win, who now stands at Ocala Stud and who finished ninth in the 2019 Derby. Other Live Oak Stud-bred and owned Derby starters include Laser Light (second in 1982), High Fly (10th in 2005) and Brilliant Speed (7th in 2011).

The other Florida-bred to qualify for the Derby this year is the Gail Rice-bred Medina Spirit. Rice has never bred a Derby starter prior to Medina Spirit, but last year she was represented by Florida-bred Speech, who finished third in the Grade 1 Longines Kentucky Oaks. An Oaks starter one year followed by a Derby runner the next is a notable accomplishment for a thoroughbred breeding operation of any size. But it is a feat of particular notoriety for Rice and her modest thoroughbred operation.

Churchill Downs began keeping state-bred records on Derby starters in 1966, so their statistics don’t count 1956 winner Needles nor Carry Back, the Florida-bred winner of the 1961 Kentucky Derby.

But since 1966 when Churchill began using state-bred statistics, Florida breeders have produced 110 Derby starters with four winners, five seconds and seven thirds.

The six Florida-bred Derby winners compare favorably to all other states save Kentucky with their 112 winners. Silver Charm (1997), Unbridled (1990), Affirmed (1978), Foolish Pleasure (1975), Carry Back (1961) and Needles (1956) outnumber California Chrome (2014), Decidedly (1962), Swaps (1955) and Morvich (1922) for California; and Sea Hero (1993), Pleasant Colony (1981), Secretariat (1973) and Reigh Count (1928) for Virginia, who are next in the rankings at four each.

The surprise in the top five states who have produced Derby winners is Tennessee with three starters in Typhoon (1897), Kingman (1891) and Lord Murphy (1879). State and countries with two winners each include Canada, England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas.

The best Kentucky Derby for Florida-bred enthusiasts may have been 1997 when Silver Charm and Captain Bodgit finished one-two. However, there have been several other years when the Kentucky Derby was filled with Florida flavor including 1982 when six of the 19 starters and in 1983 when six of the 20 starters were bred in the Sunshine State. In 1982 Laser Light was second, Reinvested (3rd), Muttering (5th), Star Gallant (8th), Music Leader (15th) and Wolfie’s Rascal (17th). The 1983 field included Florida-breds, Pax in Bello (7th), My Mac (14th), Explosive Wagon (15th), Luv a Libra (18th), Law Talk (19th) and Total Departure (20th). There were five Florida-breds in the 2011, 2005 and 1982 Derbies.

Although it has been since 1997 when Silver Charm became the last Florida-bred to don the blanket of roses at Churchill, there have been several good performances by Florida-breds including Mucho Macho Man (third in 2011); Denis of Cork (third in 2008) and Closing Argument and Afleet Alex (second and third respectively in 2005).

So good luck to Soup and Sandwich and Medina Spirit at Churchill in the Kentucky Derby. Hopefully they will add to the Florida-bred accomplishments and lore individually or as a pair.

At the very least, a local restaurant needs to recognize them as a lunch menu item. ■