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2021 CHAMPIONS AWARDS
The eight horses who make up the stellar class of 2021 Florida-bred champions won 14 stakes, including seven graded stakes during another banner year for the Sunshine State thoroughbred industry. Four of the eight were graded stakes winners: Pappacap, Golden Pal, Firenze Fire and Shifty She; while Golden Pal and Shifty She were also crowned multiple champions.
Three of the group were homebreds raced by their breeders: Pappacap, Firenze Fire and Shifty She. Golden Pal, who previously raced for his breeder, was later sold privately. Outfoxed and Sound Machine were sold at public auctions and Livingmybestlife was claimed in her first start. Of the eight champions, four are by stallions who stood in Florida at the time of breeding: Outfoxed (Valiant Minister); Livingmybestlife (The Big Beast); Firenze Fire (Poseidon’s Warrior) and Shifty She (Gone Astray).
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Pappacap
FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD COLT
George and Karen Russell, who own and operate Rustlewood Farm Inc., generally breed to sell. And that was the plan with Pappacap, who was originally entered in the 2020 Keeneland September yearling sale. But with the sale situation unsteady amid the COVID pandemic, the Russells decided maybe it would be best to point the Gun Runner colt to the 2-year-olds in training sales. Off he went to trainer Mark Casse’s Ocala farm to be broken and trained. As the colt progressed, Casse advised the Russells to keep him and they decided to do just that. As it turned out, it was likely one of the best decision the Russells made all year.
Pappacap broke his maiden at first asking on May 14 at Gulfstream Park. Out of the Scat Daddy mare Pappascat, the bay colt won by two-and-three-quarters lengths and his winning time for the five furlongs was :58.40 on the fast track.
Three months later and in only his second career start, Pappacap became a graded-stakes winner.
Shipped to Del Mar for the Best Pal (G2) on Aug. 7, Pappacap once again proved that the Russells, who were in attendance, made the right decision. Breaking well from the gates, Pappacap settled into third before jockey Joe Bravo swung Pappacap to the outside on the turn and took a narrow lead at the top of the stretch. Pappacap won by four-and-three-quarters lengths in 1:11.66 for the six furlongs. With the graded-stakes victory, Pappacap became the first black type stakes-winner for Gun Runner.
Pappacap closed out his outstanding juvenile season with a pair of Grade 1 runner-up finishes to eventual Eclipse Award champion 2-year-old male Corniche. On Oct. 1 at Santa Anita Park, Pappacap was second to that rival in the American Pharoah (G1) before finishing second again to Corniche in the TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) on Nov. 5 at Del Mar. In five starts on the season, Pappacap posted two wins and two seconds to bank $576,000.
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PAPPACAP
2019 bay colt by Gun Runner – Pappascat, by Scat Daddy Breeder/Owner: Rustlewood Farm Inc. Trainer: Mark E. Casse
2021 Race Record/Earnings 5-2-2-0/$576,000
2021 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Best Pal Stakes (G2) 2nd – TVG Breeders’ Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1) 2nd – American Pharoah Stakes (G1)
Ryan Thompson Photo
OUTFOXED
2019 bay filly by Valiant Minister – Savingtime, by Kantharos Breeder: Baoma Corp. Owner: LNJ Foxwoods Trainer: William I. Mott
2021 Race Record/Earnings 3-2-0-1/$372,000
2021 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes My Dear Girl 1st – FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Susan’s Girl
Outfoxed
2021 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 2-YEAR-OLD FILLY
The aptly-named Outfoxed did exactly that to her rivals in her debut racing season. In two added-money outings, the Valiant Minister filly outran her FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes competitors by a winning margin total just shy of 23 lengths.
Bred by Baoma Corp. and raced by LNJ Foxwoods, Outfoxed made her career debut on July 15 at Saratoga in a $100,000 maiden special weight. She would finish third to eventual Eclipse Award champion 2-year-old filly Echo Zulu and then ship back to her home state and Gulfstream Park for the Florida Sire Stakes.
Trained by Bill Mott, Outfoxed turned the $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Susan’s Girl on Aug. 28 into a catch-me-if-you-can event. Her rivals couldn’t catch her and she galloped to victory by 13 ½ lengths while finishing the seven furlongs in 1:23.81. The victory made Outfoxed the first winner and first stakes winner for Florida freshman sire Valiant Minister, a Boama Corp. stallion who stands at Bridlewood Farm.
On Sept. 25 in the $400,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes My Dear Girl, the scenario was much the same. This time, Outfoxed won by nine-and-aquarter lengths. The win brought her seasonal bankroll to $372,000.
Consigned by Abbie Road Farm to the 2020 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s October yearling sale, Outfoxed was bought for $27,000 by Jesse Hoppel. She was then consigned by Coastal Equine to the 2021 OBS April 2-year-olds in training sale where bloodstock agents Alex Solis and Jason Litt signed the ticket for $360,000 on behalf of LNJ Foxwoods. The latter is made up of Larry and Nanci Roth and their daughter Jaime, who reside in Coral Gables, Fla.
Golden Pal
2021 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD COLT 2021 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION MALE SPRINTER 2021 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION MALE TURF HORSE
Golden Pal added to his legacy as the Florida-bred golden boy. Named the 2020 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old colt, Golden Pal encored that by claiming three 2021 Florida-bred champion titles:
GOLDEN PAL 3-year-old colt, male sprinter and 2019 bay colt by Uncle Mo – Lady Shipman, by Midshipman male turf horse. And if that wasn’t
Breeder: Randall E. Lowe enough, he became the first Flori-
Owners: Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. da-bred to win two Breeders’ Cup Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg championship races with the 2020
Trainer: Wesley A. Ward 2021 Race Record/Earnings 4-3-0-0/$706,000 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G1) and 2021 Breeders’ Cup Turf 2021 Black Type Stakes Record Sprint (G1). 1st – Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) Bred by Randall E. Lowe, who 1st – Woodford presented by TVG (G2) also raced him in 2020, Golden Pal 1st – Quick Call Stakes (G3) didn’t make his 2021 debut until July
15 in the Quick Call (G3) at five-and-a-half furlongs on the turf. Now racing for the partnership of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor, Derrick Smith and Westerberg, who bought the colt privately in the summer of 2021 from Ranlo Investments LLC, Golden Pal made quick work of the graded stakes. He romped to victory by three lengths and stopped the clock in 1:02.99.
Trainer Wesley Ward then shipped his charge to England for the Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe at York on Aug. 20 but he posted a surprisingly off-form seventh.
Back home, Golden Pal quickly returned to his winning ways. On Oct. 9 in the Grade 2 Woodford presented by TVG at Keeneland, he defeated fellow Florida-bred Extravagant Kid by twoand-a-quarter lengths. The winning time for the five-and-a-half furlongs on the turf was 1:03.12.
Then it was on to Del Mar for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) on Nov. 6. With Irad Ortiz Jr. in the saddle, Golden Pal broke to the lead and opened up on the field. He posted fractions of :22.25 for the first quarter-mile and :43.91 for the half-mile before cruising across the finish line a length-and-a-quarter in front in :55.22 for the five furlongs, just .47 off the course record of :54.75 set by Fast Parade in 2006.
The Turf Sprint victory brought Golden Pal’s seasonal bankroll to $706,000 while cracking the millionaire club with $1,299,056 in career earnings.
Lowe bred and raced Lady Shipman, the dam of Golden Pal, who was second in the 2015 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1) and earned $902,387. Golden Pal, a 2018 colt by Uncle Mo, was foaled at Ryan Barbazon’s Ocala-based Barbazon Racing and Bloodstock. After receiving his yearling prepping at Barbazon’s operation, Golden Pal was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the 2019 Keeneland September sale. A RNA at $325,000, Lowe struck an after-the-sale deal with Coolmore, giving them 60 days to return the colt. When Coolmore did indeed return Golden Pal, Lowe sent him back to Barbazon to receive his early training.
Livingmybestlife
2021 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD FILLY
Claimed in her first career start for $50,000, Livingmybestlife proved to be a prudent acquisition for Hronis Racing LLC. She would go on to become a graded stakes-placed, multiple-stakes winner and collect a Florida-bred championship title.
By Ocala Stud stallion The Big Beast out of Wall Street Lady, by Speightstown, Livingmybestlife was bred by Alex and JoAnn Lieblong.
Unraced as a juvenile, Livingmybestlife made her career debut racing for the Lieblongs as a sophomore runner on April 8 at Oaklawn Park where she finished second and was claimed by trainer John W. Sadler for Hronis Racing LLC.
Livingmybestlife immediately began paying back that investment. She broke her maiden on April 24 at Oaklawn Park and then followed that with a win in a $50,000 starter optional claiming race on June 18 at Santa Anita Park. Livingmybestlife tacked on a second in an $50,000 starter optional claiming race on Aug. 29 at Del Mar before moving up to stakes company.
On Sept. 24 at Los Alamitos Race Course, Livingmybestlife earned her first black type victory in the $75,000 Lucky Spell. She posted a two-length win, finishing the six furlongs in 1:09.64.
Back at Del Mar for the $100,000 Seashell Stakes on Nov. 3, Livingmybestlife continued to shine. She won by a length-and-ahalf while covering the mile in 1:36.53.
Sadler then elevated her to Grade 1 company in the La Brea Stakes on Dec. 26 at Santa Anita Park. Livingmybestlife responded with a solid third to Kalypso and became Grade 1 placed. On the season, Livingmybestlife posted four wins, two seconds and one third to earn $245,970. Continued on next page
Benoit Photo
LIVINGMYBESTLIFE
2018 bay filly by The Big Beast – Wall Street Lady, by Speightstown Breeders: Alex & JoAnn Lieblong Owner: Hronis Racing LLC Trainer: John W. Sadler
2021 Race Record/Earnings 8-4-2-1/$245,970
2021 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Lucky Spell Stakes 1st – Seashell Stakes 3rd – La Brea Stakes (G1)
Lauren King Photo
SOUND MACHINE
2017 bay mare by Into Mischief – Ava Pie, by Distorted Humor Breeder: Farm III Owner: e Five Racing Thoroughbreds Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
2021 Race Record/Earnings 7-1-1-2/$112,350
2021 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Musical Romance Stakes 2nd – Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) 3rd – Princess Rooney Invitational Stakes (G2)
2021 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION FEMALE SPRINTER
Coming into the 2021 season, Sound Machine was already a graded stakes-placed winner with a third in the 2020 Miss Preakness Stakes (G3). She then enhanced her resume by becoming a black-type winner in 2021. The latter combined with two more graded-stakes placings as Sound Machine earned a Florida-bred champion title.
Campaigned by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, Sound Machine began to set the stage for her 2021 season on March 20 at Gulfstream Park in the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) where the Saffie A. Joseph Jr. trainee finished a good second to Pacific Gale.
Sound Machine would then notch her first black-type win in the $75,000 Musical Romance on May 29 at Gulfstream Park, winning the six furlong test by two-and-three-quarters lengths in 1:17.74.
Next up for Sound Machine was a solid third to Ce Ce in the Princess Rooney Invitational (G2) on July 3 at Gulfstream Park, closing out her championship season with one win, one second and two thirds in seven starts to bank $112,350.
Bred by Vicente Perez’s Farm III, Sound Machine is a 2017 bay mare by Into Mischief out of Ava Pie, by Distorted Humor. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency to the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, she was purchased for $500,00 by Mike Ryan as an agent.
Following her 2021 season, Sound Machine was consigned by Indian Creek to the Fasig-Tipton Fall Mixed Sale. The partnership of Rosemont, Freeman Racing, J. Blaxland and A. Hoyeau signed the ticket on her for $750,000.
Firenze Fire
2021 FLORIDA-BRED CHAMPION OLDER MALE
In five seasons of racing, Firenze Fire definitely burned up some racetracks on his way to winning 13 stakes races, including nine graded stakes, and banking a career bankroll of $2,730,350. In addition to his 2021 Florida-bred championship title, Firenze Fire was also named the 2017 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old colt. And the 2015 Poseidon’s Warrior colt closed out his career with another outstanding season in 2021.
Ron Lombardi’s Mr. Amore Stable homebred kicked off the season on May 8 with a dominating three-and-a-quarter-length victory in the Runhappy (G3) at Belmont Park, stopping the clock in 1:09.76 for the six furlong dash.
Next up was the True North (G2) on June 4 at Belmont Park—a race Firenze Fire won in 2020 and the 2021 edition proved to be an encore. Firenze Fire won by a length-and-a-half while covering the six-and-a-half furlongs in 1:15.52.
Firenze Fire would then notch three runner-up finishes in the John A. Nerud Stakes (G2), Forego Stakes (G1) and Vosburgh Stakes (G2). And in the Forego Stakes on Aug.28 at Saratoga, Firenze Fire made it a veryJust prior to the 2021 Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) on Nov. 6 at Del Mar, Lombardi announced that he had sold Firenze Fire to Japan’s Arrow Stud. Firenze Fire closed out his stellar career with an eighth to Aloha West in the 2021 Qatar Racing Breeders’ Cup Sprint, collecting $20,000 and boosting his seasonal earnings to $493,500.
He also retired as the only Florida-bred and one of only two thoroughbreds—along with Channel Maker—with five career appearances in the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. He was also seventh in the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1), fourth in the 2018 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1), fifth in the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and third in the 2020 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1). 2015 bay horse by Poseidon’s Warrior – My Every Wish, by Langfuhr Breeder/Owner: Mr Amore Stables Trainer: Kelly J. Breen
2021 Race Record/Earnings 7-2-3-0/$493,500
2021 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – True North Stakes (G2) 1st – Runhappy Stakes (G3) 2nd – Forego Stakes (G1) 2nd – John A. Nerud (G2) 2nd – Vosburgh Stakes (G2)
Shifty She
A previous allowance winner who didn’t race at all in 2020 because of an injury, Shifty She showed her resilience and talent in 2021.
Shifty She, a turf specialist, captured the first black-type win of her career on May 15 in the $75,000 Powder Break at Gulfstream Park, prevailing by a neck, in a winning time of 1:34.62 for the mile on the turf.
A little less than a month later in the $75,000 Ginger Punch at Gulfstream Park, the Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee proved she was indeed the real deal, drawing away to win by a lengthand-a-half in 1:40.13 for the mile-and-a-sixteenth furlongs.
A trip to Saratoga yielded a third to Regal Glory in the Fasig-Tipton De La Rose on Aug. 8. After finishing fourth in the Kentucky Downs Ladies Turf Stakes (G3) on Sept. 11, Shifty She was shipped to Belmont Park for the Noble Damsel Stakes (G3) on Oct. 23 and she cruised to victory by a length-and-a-half in 1:33.24 for the mile turf test.
Shifty She closed out her outstanding season with a second to Sweet Melania in the Suwannee River Stakes (G3) on Dec. 18 at Gulfstream Park. On the season, she banked $252,795.
By Gone Astray out of Perilous Hope, by Strong Hope, Shifty She was bred by Chris Pallas and George Klein. In 2021, Pallas campaigned her with Harry Rothenberg as Pedigree Partners LLC.
Chelsea Durand Photo
SHIFTY SHE
2016 bay mare by Gone Astray – Perilous Hope, by Strong Hope Breeders: Chris Pallas & George Klein Owner: Pedigree Partners LLC Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
2021 Race Record/Earnings 7-3-1-1/$252,795
2021 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Noble Damsel Stakes (G3) 1st – Powder Break Stakes 1st – Ginger Punch Stakes 2nd – Suwannee River Stakes (G3) 3rd – Fasig-Tipton De La Rose Stakes
No tax on stallion seasons No tax on stallion seasons No personal state income tax No personal state income tax No individual capital gains tax No individual capital gains tax National leader in veterinary and equine research National leader in veterinary and equine research Ranks second in the U.S. for number of Ranks second in the U.S. for number of thoroughbred horses thoroughbred horses Feed and animal health items, along with Feed and animal health items, along with other specific items, are also exempt other specific items, are also exempt Horses are exempt from sales tax when Horses are exempt from sales tax when purchased from their original breeder purchased from their original breeder Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides Florida’s greenbelt exemption provides property taxbreaks for Florida horsefarms property taxbreaks for Florida horsefarms Physical climate allows for year-round training, Physical climate allows for year-round training, racing, showing and business opportunities racing, showing and business opportunities
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES Nicole “Nikki” Fried, Commissioner
Emily Hetherington • (850) 617-7291 (Office) Emily.Hetherington@FDACS.gov • www.FDACS.gov
2021 Joseph M. O’Farrell Memorial Award
CONSIGNOR: SUMMERFIELD (FRANCIS & BARBARA VANLANGENDONCK) HORSE: MEDINA SPIRIT
Nevarez Photo
The 2021 Joseph M. O’Farrell Memorial Award was presented to Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield, the original consignor of Florida-bred Grade 1-winner Medina Spirit. Bred by Gail Rice, Medina Spirit was consigned by Summerfield as an agent, to the Ocala Breeders’ Sales 2019 Winter Mixed Sale. He sold for $1,000 to Christy Whitman. This is the third Joseph M. O’Farrell Memorial Award for Summerfield who also won in 2014 and 2016.
The Joseph M. O’Farrell Memorial Award is presented annually by OBS to the original consignor of the year’s best Florida-bred racehorse offered at an OBS auction. The award is named after Joseph M. O’Farrell, who was part of the nine-man syndicate that founded Ocala Stud in 1956 and who was a pioneer in establishing public thoroughbred auctions in Florida.
2021 Needles Award
GAIL RICE
The 2021 Needles Award was presented to Gail Rice, who bred Grade 1-winning millionaire Medina Spirit. Rice was also honored as the 2020 Needles Award winner.
The Needles Award was established by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association to honor Florida breeders who own small thoroughbred operations and have made outstanding contributions to the Florida Thoroughbred industry. The award is named after Needles, the first Florida-bred national champion (1955 champion 2-year-old colt) and first Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby (1956).
Serita Hult Photo
2021 Florida Broodmare of The Year
MONGOLIAN CHANGA
Kelcey Loges Photo
2014 bay mare by Brilliant Speed – Bridled, by Unbridled
Mongolian Changa, the dam of Florida-bred Grade 1-winning millionaire Medina Spirit, was named the 2021 Florida Broodmare of the Year by the FTBOA board of directors. At the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Mixed Sale, Mongolian Changa, in foal to Not This Time, was purchased for $1,050,000 by Katsumi Yoshida of Japan from the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment. She is by Brilliant Speed and is out of Bridled, by Florida-bred Kentucky Derby (G1)-winner Unbridled.
2021 Florida Breeder of The Year 2021 Leading Owner by Florida-Bred Earnings
LIVE OAK STUD/LIVE OAK PLANTATION (CHARLOTTE WEBER)
CHARLOTTE WEBER’S LIVE OAK STUD was named the 2021 Florida Breeder of the Year. Live Oak Stud recorded Florida-bred earnings of $2,434,442 on the season. Live Oak Stud was the leading Florida breeder by number of Florida-bred black type stakes winners (6), Florida-bred graded stakes winners (4) and number of black-type stakes won by Florida-breds (9). Weber’s Live Oak Plantation was also the 2021 Leading Owner By Florida-Bred Earnings with $1,989,225. Live Oak Stud was represented by Florida-bred Grade 3-winners Souper Stonehenge, Our Flash Drive, Tap It to Win and Souper Escape. Rounding out the group of Live Oak Stud-bred black type winners were March to the Arch and Inthewinnerscircle. All of the Live Oak Stud runners were also raced by Weber’s Live Oak Plantation. Souper Stonehenge and Tap It to Win are both out of the multiple stakes-winFile Photo ning and multiple stakes-producing Live Oak Stud broodmare Onepointthreekarats, by Medaglia d’Oro.
Graded stakes-winner Souper Stonehenge, a 2016 chestnut gelding by Speightstown, was the leading Live Oak Stud earner with $204,139. The Mark Casse trainee won the Jacques Cartier Stakes (G3) and Vigil Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. He was also third in the Carter Handicap (G1) at Aqueduct and second in the Pelican Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.
Our Flash Drive, a 2018 bay filly by Ghostzapper out of Dynamotor, by Dynaformer, was also a dual Grade 3-winner. She captured the Selene Stakes (G3) and Ontario Colleen Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. Trained by Casse, she banked $197,185 on the season.
Tap It to Win, a 2017 bay ridgling by Tapit, earned $149,238 and won a pair of stakes, including a Grade 3. Also trained by Casse, Tap It to Win posted victories in the Seagram Cup Stakes (G3) at Woodbine and NYRA Bets Sprint Stakes on Florida Cup Day at Tampa Bay Downs.
Souper Escape, a 2016 bay horse by Medaglia d’Oro out of Cry and Catch Me, by Street Cry (Ire), won the Trillium Stakes (G3) at Woodbine. Trained by Michael Trombetta, Souper Escape earned $73,198 on the season.
March to the Arch, a 2015 bay gelding by Arch out of Daveron (Ger), by Black Swan Bellamy (Ire), won the Niagara Stakes at Woodbine. He was also second in the Dominion Day Stakes (G3) and third in the King Edward Stakes (G2), both at Woodbine. His seasonal earnings were $131,084 on the season.
Inthewinnerscircle, a 2018 bay filly by Medaglia d’Oro out of Sweet Bernardini, by Bernardini, won the Cellars Shiraz Stakes and earned $99,061 on the season. Both March to the Arch and Inthewinnerscircle were trained by Casse.
In 1968, Weber purchased what had previously been the Ocala farm of P.A.B. Widener III. Renamed Live Oak Stud, the farm has grown from that original 1,000 acres to 4,500 acres. Live Oak Stud has produced many outstanding Florida-breds, including millionaires Miesque’s Approval (2006 Eclipse Award champion turf male), World Approval (2017 Eclipse Award champion turf male), Awesome Slew, Sultry Song, Revved Up, Solar Splendor and Brilliant Speed.
Live Oak Stud was also named the Florida Breeder of the Year in 2006, 2017, 2019 and 2020 and Live Oak Plantation was the Leading Owner by Florida-bred earnings in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2020. Continued on next page
Cynthia McFarland Photo
2021 Florida Stallion Of The Year
Khozan was the leading Florida sire by total progeny earnings with $3,671,794. All totaled, Khozan was represented by 123 starters with 78 winners (63%), including Florida-bred graded stakes-winner Background, Florida-bred black-type winner Me and Mr. C, Florida-bred graded stakes-placed winner Lure Him In and three black-type, stakes-placed winners. Graded stakes-winner Background won the Longacres Mile Handicap (G3) on Aug. 5 at Emerald Downs. Owned by Bob and Molly Rondeau in the name of their Giddyup Stables LLC and trained by Mike Puhich, Background was also second in the $100,000 Hanshin Cup at Arlington Park. In seven starts, he posted three wins, two seconds and a third to earn $208,536 on the season. The 2017 chestnut gelding out of Ephyra, by Corinthian, was bred by Brent and Crystal Fernung. Black-type winner Me and Mr. C won the Grey Goose Turf Classic on Florida Cup Day on March 28 at Tampa Bay Downs. Raced by Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher, the Michael Maker trainee banked $96,555 on two wins, one second and one third in seven starts. Bred by Stonehedge LLC, the 2017 bay gelding is out of Abiding, by Dynaformer. Graded stakes-placed Lure Him In was third in the Tokyo City Cup Stakes (G3) at Santa Anita Park. He earned $103,800 on one win, three seconds and three thirds in 11 starts on the season. Bred by Stonehedge LLC, the 2017 bay gelding is out of Alluring Lady, by Indygo Shiner.
Khozan’s leading 2021 earner was black-type, stakes-placed winner Don’t Get Khozy, who banked $211,372. The Imaginary Stables runner, trained by Antonio Sano, was second in the $100,000 Rampart Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 2017 chestnut filly out of Get Noticed, by Graeme Hall, was bred by Special Effort Farm, Laura Colon and Michael Colon.
Rounding out Khozan’s 2021 black-type, stakes-placed winners were: Devilette, who was second in the $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Susan’s Girl and earned $113,750; and Sigiloso, who was third in the $65,000 Showing Up Stakes and earned $113,357.
A 2012 bay horse by Distorted Humor out of the A.P. Indy mare Delta Princess, Khozan was purchased by Al Shaqab Racing for $1 million at the 2014 Fasig-Tipton select 2-year-olds in-training sale. Trained by Todd Pletcher, Khozan broke his maiden at first asking by four lengths. He encored that with a second victory by 12 ¾ lengths. While training for the 2015 Florida Derby (G1), Khozan suffered a career-ending injury.
Khozan entered stud in 2016 at Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Stud. He was the 2019 leading Florida freshman and juvenile sire. In 2020, Khozan was the leading active Florida sire and the leading Florida juvenile sire. Khozan stands as property of a syndicate.
Serita Hult Photo
2021 Leading Florida Juvenile Sire
Brethren was the leading Florida juvenile sire by progeny earnings with $809,444. He was represented by 21 juvenile starters with eight juvenile winners, including Florida-bred black- type winner Octane and Florida-bred black-type, stakes-placed winner Clapton.
An Arindel homebred, black-type winner Octane was Brethren’s leading juvenile earner, banking $410,000. Trained by Carlos A. David, Octane captured the $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Affirmed on Aug. 28 at Gulfstream Park. He encored that with a victory in the Serita Hult Photo
$400,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes In Reality on Sept. 25 at Gulfstream Park. The 2019 bay gelding is out of Star Recruit, by Aldebaran.
Black-type, stakes-placed winner Clapton was third in the Ocala Stud Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Juan Alvarado, Clapton earned $76,270 on the season. Also an Arindel homebred, Clapton is a 2019 chestnut colt out of Alexandra Rylee, by Afleet Alex.
Brethren, a 2008 bay horse by Distorted Humor out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger, was a graded-stakes winner of $386,465. Bred by WinStar Farm LLC, he raced for Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC and WinStar Farm LLC. Brethren entered stud in 2014 and was the 2018 leading Florida juvenile sire. He stands at Arindel as property of a partnership.
2021 Leading Florida Freshman Sire
Neolithic was the leading Florida freshman sire by progeny earnings with $636,849. He was represented by 14 starters with six winners, including Florida-bred black-type winners Make It Big and Cattin.
Make It Big won the $60,000 Ocala Stud Juvenile Sprint Stakes on Oct. 30 at Gulfstream Park. The Saffie Joseph Jr. trainee also captured the $401,200 Remington Springboard Mile on Dec. 17 at Remington Park. Undefeated in three starts, Make It Big earned $303,828 for owner Red Oak Stable. Bred by SHH Ventures, the 2019 bay colt is out of the Congrats mare Ruby On My Mind. Consigned by Paul Sharp to the 2021 OBS April juvenile sale, Make It Big was bought by Red Oak Farm for $120,000.
Cattin, trained by Ralph E. Nicks, won the Inaugural Stakes on Dec. 4 at Tampa Bay Downs. He was also third in the $400,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes In Reality at Gulfstream Park. Cattin banked $164,550 for owners Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Spendthrift Farm LLC. Bred by Curtis Mikkelsen and Patricia Horth, Cattin is a 2019 bay colt out of Adios Dawn, by Adios Charlie. Consigned by Beth Bayer to the 2020 OBS Winter Mixed Sale, the colt was bought by Bill and Corinne Heiligbrodt for $25,000.
Multiple graded-stakes placed Neolithic, a 2013 bay horse by Harlan’s Holiday out of Swingit, by Victory Gallop, earned $2,278,028 for Qatar Racing and Starlight Racing. Bred by Edwin Anthony, Neolithic was consigned by Denali Stud to the 2014 Keeneland Yearling Sale. Starlight Racing signed the sales ticket for $460,000. Neolithic entered stud in 2018 and stands as property of a syndicate at Pleasant Acres Stallions.
Leslie Martin Photo
2021 Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-Breds
- BY EARNINGS
Lauren King Photo
Carlos A. David was the 2021 leading Florida trainer by Florida-bred earnings at Florida racetracks with $2,217,185. David trained Florida-bred stakes-winners Octane and Shea D Summer.
Arindel homebred Octane won the $200,000 FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes Affirmed and $400,000 FTBOA Sire Stakes In Reality at Gulfstream Park. The 2019 bay gelding by Brethren out of Star Recruit, by Aldebaran, banked $410,000 on the season.
Shea D Summer captured the $75,000 Game Face and $75,000 Azalea at Gulfstream Park. Bred by Ocala Stud, the 2018 bay filly is by Summer Front out of Empress of Gold, by Empire Maker. Raced by Shea D Boy’s Stable, the filly earned $170,071 on the season.
2021 Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-Breds
- BY BLACK TYPE STAKES WINS
Saffie A. Joseph Jr. was the 2021 leading Florida trainer of Florida-breds by black type wins at Florida tracks with seven. Joseph trained Florida-bred graded stakes-winners Shifty She, Officiating and Queen Nekia, as well as Florida-bred stakes-winners Make It Big and Sound Machine. Graded stakes-winner Shifty She won the Noble Damsel Stakes (G3), $75,000 Powder Break and $75,000 Ginger Punch Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Shifty She was named the 2021 Florida-bred champion older female and Florida-bred champion female turf horse. Bred by Chris Pallas and George Klein, Shifty She is a 2016 bay mare by Gone Astray out of Perilous Hope, by Strong Lauren King Photo Hope. Raced by Pedigree Partners, Shifty She earned $252,795 on the season.
Graded stakes-winner Officiating, bred and raced by Vegso Racing Stable, won the Mr. Prospector (G3) and $75,000 Bears Dean at Gulfstream Park. The 2018 bay colt by Blame out of Come a Callin, by Dixie Union, had seasonal earnings of $174,635.
Graded stakes-winner Queen Nekia captured the Royal Delta Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Bred by Porter Racing Stable LLC, the 2015 bay mare is by Harlington out of All Night Labor, by Double Honor. Queen Nekia earned $168,790 for owner Ken Copenhaver on the season.
Black type stakes-winner Make It Big won the Ocala Stud Juvenile Sprint Stakes at Gulfstream Park. The 2019 bay colt by Neolithic out of Ruby On My Mind, by Congrats, was bred by SHH Ventures. Racing for Red Oak Stable, Make It Big banked $303,828 on the season.
Black type stakes-winner Sound Machine won the $75,000 Musical Romance at Gulfstream Park. The 2017 bay mare by Into Mischief out of Ava Pie, by Distorted Humor, was bred by Vicente Perez’s Farm III. Campaigned by e Five Racing Thoroughbreds, Sound Machine earned $112,350.
2021 Leading Florida Trainer of Florida-Breds
- BY WINS
Lauren King Photo
Kathleen O’Connell was the 2021 leading Florida trainer of Florida-breds by wins at Florida tracks with 56. It was the 14th time that O’Connell has won this award.
In addition to 14 honors as leading Florida trainer of Florida-breds, she has received one leading trainer by earnings and three leading trainer by stakes wins honors.
O’Connell trained Florida-bred black type stakes-winner Well Defined to victories in the $97,750 Big Drama and $100,000 Benny The Bull at Gulfstream Park. Bred by Stonehedge LLC, Well Defined is a 2016 gelding by With Distinction out of Fru Fru, by Medaglia d’Oro. Well Defined raced for Kathleen O’Connell Racing Stable LLC and had seasonal earnings of $239,630.
Medina Spirit
FLORIDA-BRED HORSE OF THE YEAR
Medina Spirit was named the 2021 Florida-bred Horse of the Year in a vote by the FTBOA board of directors after the Gail Rice-bred 3-year-old had an accomplished year that culminated with a second-place finish to Knicks Go in the Grade 1 $6 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar on Nov. 6.
Medina Spirit also became the seventh Florida-bred to win the Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1), but has been subsequently disqualified by the Churchill Downs stewards after a post-race exam found traces of the therapeutic steroid Betamethasone in the horse’s system. Although betamethasone is legal for equine use in Kentucky, it is not permitted on race day according to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission rules. The stewards made the ruling nine months following the Derby on Feb. 21 and owner Amr Zedan, who races in the name of his Zedan Racing Stables, Inc., and Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert are appealing the ruling to the Franklin County Circuit Court in Kentucky. The Jockey Club continues to recognize Medina Spirit as the winner of the Kentucky Derby on the official Equibase chart until the legal proceedings have run their course.
Regardless of the Derby outcome, Medina Spirit produced a championship caliber year winning four times in nine 2021 starts, with four seconds and a third, while banking $3,520,000 including his Kentucky Derby first-place check.
He defeated older horses in the Grade 1, $301,500 Awesome Again on Oct. 2 at Santa Anita, winning by five lengths in his final race before the Breeders’ Cup. He also won the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis at Santa Anita on Jan. 30 after starting the year with a second-place finish to Life is Good in the Grade 3 Sham on Jan. 2, also at Santa Anita. He would again finish second to Life is Good in the Grade 2 San Felipe on March 6 before prepping for the Run for the Roses with a second to Rock Your World in the Grade 1 Runhappy Santa Anita Derby on April 3.
Following the Derby, Medina Spirit was third in the Preakness (G1) won by Rombauer in his worst finish of the year before returning after a three-month break on Aug. 29 at Del Mar to romp in the $100,000 Shared Belief at a mile. He collasped and died after a workout on Dec. 6.
A necropsy performed on Medina Spirit concluded that there were no illegal drugs or toxins detected and stated that the cause of death was “undetermined; sudden cardiorespiratory arrest/ cardiac failure suspected.”
By Protonico out of Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed, Medina Spirit ranked second in earnings nationally to Knicks Go and was ridden throughout the year by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. TFH
Benoit Photo
MEDINA SPIRIT
2018 dark bay colt by Protonico – Mongolian Changa, by Brilliant Speed Breeder: Gail Rice Owner: Zedan Racing Stables Inc. Trainer: Bob Baffert
2021 Race Record/Earnings 9-4-4-1/$3,520,000
2021 Black Type Stakes Record 1st – Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve (G1)* 1st – Awesome Again (G1) 1st – Robert B. Lewis (G3) 1st – Shared Belief S. 2nd – TVG Breeders’ Cup Classic presented by TAA (G1) 2nd – Runhappy Santa Anita Derby (G1) 2nd – San Felipe S. (G2) 2nd – Sham Stakes (G2) 3rd – Preakness (G1)
*Disqualified but on appeal at press time
