Florida Focus
Compiled by Brock Sheridan
Golden Pal Rockets to Victory in Shakertown Florida-bred Golden Pal burst from post 10 and had daylight on his rivals after just a few strides before sprinting away to a dominant victory in the Grade 2 Shakertown at Keeneland April 9. Golden Pal had ten rivals in the $350,000 Shakertown for 3-year-olds and older but none were able to get close to the son of Uncle Mo at any point in the five-and-a-half furlong turf sprint. Making his first start since winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) by a length-and-a-quarter after leading from start to finish, Golden Pal was just as sharp in the Shakertown. The Wesley Ward-trained 4-year-old sprinted to a two-and-a-half-length lead while finishing the first two furlongs in a quarter horse-like :20.94 before finishing the half-mile in :43.58 while maintaining a clear advantage turning for home. With little urging from Ortiz, Golden Pal drew off to win by four-and-three-quarters lengths in 1:02.21 on the turf course rated good after snow and rain earlier in the day. “He’s a really fast horse out of the gate,” Ortiz said. “Wesley [Ward] did a great job with him since day one. They taught him right, what he has to do. I Florida-bred Golden Pal Coady Photo did ask him [at the top of the stretch] and In Memoriam he responded really well. Then I looked around—and I’m already right there close Thomas Joseph Caruso to the wire. So I wrapped him up.” Flatter, Kalu, Gondwanan, Ward spoke of his fondness for Golden Thomas Caruso, died His Honor, Up Front, and Pal and how he admires his abundance of peacefully on April 1, Outstander. talent. 2022, in Mountain City, After Bonnie Heath “He’s just an amazing horse,” Ward Tennessee. He was born Farm Tom trained for sevsaid. “He is an amazing horse to be around. on Oct. 29, 1955, the son eral owners while racing at A once in a lifetime horse. He’s just a big of Louis and Zana Caruso, Tampa Bay Downs, Gulfkid around the barn but when he walks in Norwich, N.Y. into the paddock, he’s all focused and all stream, and Calder Race Growing up in upstate business. Course. New York, Tom connect“I want to thank [the owners] for letting Tom retired after 10 ed to all things “horse.” Thomas Joseph Caruso File Photo him run this year and letting the fans enjoy years as manager and After high school he him.” trainer at Whisper Hill worked for trainer Joe BoGolden Pal is owned by Mrs. John lero, traveling to Arlington Park in Chicago Farm where he earned the Florida ThorMagnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith oughbred Farm Manager Of The Year award and Hialeah in South Florida in the winters. and Westerberg and was bred by Randall Tom decided Tartan Farms would be his for excellence in the industry. Tom is survived: by his niece Lisa Shope E. Lowe. next gig. He worked at the farm and travGolden Pal made the trip to Great Briteled with the racing stable. He managed of Osteen, Fla.; great nephews Zachary Shope of Sarasota, Fla. and Brett Shope ain for the King’s Stand, his third trip to horses such as Fappiano, Codex, Ogygian, Europe. He was second to The Lir Jet in Leroy S., Island Whirl, Tax Holiday, Adlib- of Melbourne, Fla., half-siblings Charlene the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Ascot in ber and many other talented stakes winners. Barrows of Norwich, N.Y.; Martin (Bonnie) his second career start in June of 2020 and When Tartan Farms closed, Tom worked Caruso of Troy, Ohio; Julie (Rick) Jenne of seventh last year in the Group 1 Wootton for Sam-Son Farm and Roselyn Farm before Glens Falls, N.Y.; Dano Caruso of ColumBassett Nunthorpe at York in August. He bus, Ohio; Andy (Tami) Caruso of Phoenix, joining Bonnie Heath Farm. returned to the United States after the poor At Bonnie Heath, he oversaw many N.Y.; Deb (Anthony) Turiano of Andover, effort in the Nunthorpe to win the Woodstakes winners including, Honor Glide, Mad Ma. n ford presented by TVG (G2) at Keeneland n
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THE FLORIDA HORSE n AUGUST 2022
