Florida Focus

Continued from page 10 was able to take control all the way to the wire.”

Corona Bolt paid $3 to win and now has $102,000 in earnings from his two starts.

Cox said the Sugar Bowl performance may lead to increased competition.

“We’ll see how he comes out of this,” Cox said, “but based on today, I think he deserves the opportunity to try two turns. He’s a nice colt. He’s got enough scope about himself. There was no intent on necessarily being on the lead. We thought he’d let him break and settle into the race with natural speed and found himself on the lead.”

Corona Bolt is by Bolt d’Oro out of Stormbeforethecalm, by Quiet American and was bred in Florida by Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield Sales Agency Inc. and Etarip Stable. Summerfield consigned Corona Bolt to the 2020 Keeneland November Sale as a weanling and sold him for $225,000 to Vallone Racing.

A half-sister to stakes-winners Cool Catomine, Wild Catomine; and stakes-placed runners Crowns Dynasty, Goldmine Cat and Master Spy; Stormbeforethecalm is also the dam of Toronto Cup-winning Florida-bred Proven Strategies. With Corona Bolt’s victory in the Sugar Bowl, Stormbeforethecalm has two black type winners from three starters.

The Vanlangendonck’s purchased Stormbeforethecalm for $15,000 at the 2016 Keeneland January Horses of All Ages Sale.

Toddchero is now stakes-placed in all five of his starts against black type company, coming at four different tracks. The son of Bucchero has been second to Mazing Mark in the $100,000 Jean Lafitte at Delta Downs and second to Tyler’s Tribe in the $100,000 Prairie Gold Juvenile at Prairie Meadows. He was also third in both the $75,000 Kip Deville and $100,000 Clever Trevor Stakes at Remington Park. n

Dr. John Peterson Dies

Peterson Smith lost one of its’ founders on Dec. 25 with the passing of Dr. John Peterson.

Along with Dr. Johnny Mac Smith, Peterson started the practice in 1981, and continued practicing until 2017. Through the years, he had a profound impact on the practice, with his bold vision shaping it into what it is today. Dr. Peterson’s significant and lasting contributions to the equine veterinary industry are many. None more important than the role his leadership and mentorship played in the lives and careers of the numerous veterinarians and support staff privileged to work alongside him throughout his career. His dedicated work will be remembered by his many clients and the equine industry as a whole. n

Nicholas Palmer Saddles First Winner

Nicholas Palmer celebrated the first victory of his training career Dec. 30 at Gulfstream Park after saddling Bad Henry for a five-and-a-quarter-length romp in the day’s second race.

The 30-year-old native of Jupiter, Fla., achieved his career milestone with a horse bred and owned by his parents, Teresa and David Palmer, long-time prominent owners in South Florida.

“It feels amazing. It’s really special. I’m happy it was with a homebred,” Palmer said.

Bad Henry, a 2-year-old Florida-bred son of Good Samaritan, won for the first time in four career starts in the $12,500 maiden claiming at a mile as the longest price in the six-horse field.

Bad Henry paid $29.40 to win.

Although he grew up in Thoroughbred racing, Palmer didn’t always have a goal to become a trainer.

“It’s not really what I always wanted to do. I had another job in film, doing lighting. I took a hiatus and went to the farm and saw a 2-year-olds-in-training sale and it piqued my interest more than