FLORIDA FOCUS

Tie Goes to the Florida-breds in Gasparilla

Special Princess, Adios Trippi Dead Heat For Win Florida-bred fillies split $25,000 Florida-bred Win Bonus

Florida-breds Adios Trippi and Special Princess ran most of the seven furlong Gasparilla Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs Jan. 17 as bookends with the former leading the way from the start while the latter sat last of seven during the early running. But they hit the finish line together in a dead heat for the win to split both the winner’s share of the $125,000 purse and the $25,000 win bonus for Floridabreds that was presented by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association. Adios Trippi and jockey Antonio Gallardo started evenly from post four with evenmoney favorite Feeling Mischief on the outside of the 3-year-old fillies and 35-1 longshot Make A Scene also getting a good beginning.

But Adios Trippi emerged from the trio to take the lead by a length for the run down the backstretch ahead of Feeling Mischief in second with Florida-bred Big Rings third. Adios Trippi increased her lead to two lengths after a quarter-mile in :22.57 with Feeling Mischief and Big Rings together in second while Special Princess was last, six lengths from the lead.

Adios Trippi, Feeling Mischief and Big Rings continued in that order around the turn while completing the half-mile in :45.65 as Special Princess and jockey Ademar Santos began to advance from between rivals.

Adios Trippi was never threatened in the run for home as Big Rings chased in second while Special Princess began to rally from the far outside. Nearing the wire, it appeared Adios Trippi would hit the finish alone as Special Princess continued to pass horses on the outside in an apparent run for second before she suddenly found one more gear and produced the dead heat for the win in a time of 1:24.89 on the fast track.

Feeling Mischief was another length-anda-quarter farther back in fourth followed in order by Big Rings, Charge It All, Make a Scene and Marketability.

Adios Trippi is by Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie and is out of Stage Trip, by Trippi and won for the second time in four starts. After she broke her maiden in her sec-

OBITUARY

Florida-bredsSpecialPrincess(#1)andAdiosTrippi

Mary K. Haire

Mary K. Haire, 84 of Dunnellon, Fla., passed away on Jan. 21. Mary was born in Washington D.C. and was the youngest of three girls. She had three children whom she adored, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great grandchildren. The visitation and service was held Jan. 28. at Roberts Funeral Home of Dunnellon.

Looking back at her decorated career as a breeder and owner, she may not have achieved the top dollar price tag at the sales, but the chance to have something strike gold on the race track was much more of a victory to her. MaryK.Haire

The mating of Ecliptical to her Tri Jet mare Toasted Almond, produced graded stakes-winner Exclusive Praline, a winner of 15 starts and $610,330. Haire also bred Exclusive Rosette, a stakes winner, track record holder and successful broodmare as the dam of graded stakes-winners Misty Rosette and Storm Wolf; and Littleprincessemma, who produced Triple Crown-winner American Pharoah. She also bred Ohio Derby and Indiana Derby (G2)-winner East Hall, who earned $870,620.

She is remembered as a loving mother and grandmother, no-nonsense businesswoman, charitable member of the community and dedicated to her passions. She will be sorely missed, never forgotten, and has a legacy that will live on forever through her daughter and grandaughter. They promised to her that they one day find themselves in the paddock before the Kentucky Derby with one of their own.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory can be made to Florida Thorobred Fillies, PO Box 937, Ocala Fla., 34478 or the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance c/o The Jockey Club, 821 Corporate Dr. Lexington, KY 40503 or online at https://www.thoroughbredaftercare.org/donate/ ■

HAIRE FAMILY PHOTO

starts. After she broke her maiden in her second start against special weight maidens going a mile-and-70-yards at Parx on Oct. 5, trainer Peter Walder purchased her privately and returned the bay filly to Florida where she was third in the $75,000 Cash Run Stakes won by Gulf Coast going a mile at Gulfstream Park on New Year’s Day.

“This is the happiest I’ve ever been for a dead-heat. I thought [Special Princess] nailed her, but my filly ran an awesome race because she took the beating up front [with the fast pace],” Walder said.

“She just ran against a tough group at Gulfstream two weeks ago [in the Cash Run] and it was kind of a quick turnaround, but I liked the idea of wheeling her back from a mile to seven furlongs. She’s getting better with each race,” Walder said.

The $57,500 first place-check, which included $12,500 as her share of the Floridabred win bonus, increased Adios Trippi’s career earnings to $88,900 for owner Paradise Farm Corp., Brian Hanley, Greg Boyer, Scott Estes and Walder Racing.

Adios Trippi was bred by Laurin Stable Inc., and paid $5.60 as the 4-1 third choice.

Special Princess left the post at nearly 13-1 and returned $13.20 to win.

Special Princess, who is a homebred for J D Farms, is the first black type stakes-winner for her sire Bahamian Squall, who stands at Double Diamond Farm, and is out of Indy Crown, by Shaniko.

The Gasparilla victory was also her second career trip to the winner’s circle as she defeated special weight maidens by nearly six lengths going six furlongs at Gulfstream Park West on Oct. 28.

Trained by Walter Woodard, Special Princess was then fourth to fellow Floridabred Shea D Summer in the $60,000 Juvenile Fillies Sprint over a sloppy six-and-a-half furlongs at Gulfstream Park West on Nov. 14, sixth in the $50,000 Sandpiper Stakes won by Feeling Mischief going six furlongs at Tampa Bay on Dec. 5 before finishing second to Charge it All in a first-level, $75,000 allowance optional claiming race going sixand-a-half furlongs at Tampa Bay on Dec. 20.

“This puts me on the map,” Woodard exulted. “I told everyone before the race they were going to know [Special Princess] was there, and Ademar [Santos] did a hell of a job. She’s really come into herself and I was very confident coming into the race.”

She now has two wins, a second and a third from seven starts with earnings of $95,275.

Special Princess is a graduate of the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale where she was consigned by Bobby Jones Equine but did not meet her reserve and was retained by J D Farms.

This is the second consecutive year the Gasparilla has gone to a Florida-bred as Gary Barber’s Two Sixty won last year, defeating future Preakness Stakes (Grade 1), Alabama Stakes (G1), Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Park Oaks (G2), Fantasy (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G2)-winner and 2020 champion 3-year-old filly Swiss Skydiver, who was fifth. ■

Florida-bred Stallion Big Drama Dies

Big Drama, the Florida-bred multimillionaire and Eclipse Award Champion Sprinter of 2010 died Jan. 21 from complications of a stomach ailment at the age of 15. A winner of $2,746,060 including the 2010 Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint (Grade 1) at Churchill Downs, CINDY MIKELL PHOTO Big Drama had taken his success to the breeding shed in Florida where he sired earners of nearly $9 million since entering stud in 2012. He was Big Drama a top 10 North American Freshman Sire in 2015 with five stakes horses from his first crop. Some of his top runners include multiple stakes-winner R Kinsley Doll, stakeswinners Tribal Drama and Miss Deplorable and multiple stakes-placed Mr. Kisses. He also sired Trinidad and Tobago champion Whisper Light.

In 2008 Big Drama, by Montbrook out of Riveting Drama, by Notebook, became only the eighth horse at that time to sweep the Florida Stallion Stakes (now the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes) as a 2-year-old before winning the Boyd Gaming’s Delta Jackpot (G3) later that year. He went on to win the 2010 Ponche Handicap, the 2010 Smile Sprint Handicap (G2), the 2011 Mr. Prospector Stakes and the 2011 Whippleton Stakes while compiling a record of 11 wins from 19 starts with four seconds and a third for trainer David Fawkes and owner-breeder Harold L. Queen.

He concluded his racing career with a second appearance in the Sentient Jet Breeders’ Cup Sprint in 2011 and is currently ranked as the 17th richest Florida-bred of all-time.

He was also honored by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association in 2010 as the Florida-bred Champion Older Male. ■

Stormborne Stallions Opens Citra Facility

Danielle Dougherty has recently opened up for business at her new stallion breeding and mare care facility in Citra, Fla. Located on 65 lush acres in Marion County, Stormborne Stallions is home to thoroughbred stallions Backtalk, Finale, Rogueish, Matanzas Inlet and Young Brian.

“I am very excited about our new location and opening up the stallion shed in 2021. Our facilities are ideal for the upcoming season with a 24-stall barn for the stallions and a separate wing set up for foaling and mare care,” Dougherty said.

Dougherty, who has spent her career working with racehorses and stallions, also offers the services of mare care, sales prep, and foaling at her new facilities.

For more information about Stormborne Stallions, please contact Danielle Dougherty at 352-615-8400, or email at stormbornestallions@gmail.com. ■

Ladies’ Turf Sprint Provides Swan Song Victory for Lady’s Island

Making the expected last start of her racing career before traveling to Kentucky to be

sold Feb. 9 at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale, Florida-bred Lady’s Island went out a winner with a victory in the $100,000 Ladies’ Turf Sprint at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 6.

The Ladies’ Turf Sprint was taken off the turf and moved to five furlongs on the main track after rains had fallen throughout the afternoon at the Hallendale Beach, Fla., track.

But the sloppy and sealed track again proved advantageous for Lady’s Island, who took into the race an off-track record during her storied career of six wins in nine career starts with a second and a third. The 7-yearold daughter of Solera Farm stallion Greatness had also shown an affinity for Gulfstream Park where she had won eight of 12 career starts with two seconds and two thirds.

Lady’s Island and jockey Emisael Jaramillo overcame a poor start from post seven in the Ladies’ Turf Sprint but quickly recovered to take the lead and the rail from a fast starting Hear My Prayer as those two led the short field of six, which was reduced due to scratches because of the course change, into the turn and three lengths ahead of Miss Auramet in third.

After a first-quarter split in :22.20 Lady’s Island turned for home with a clear lead on Hear My Prayer as Miss Auramet made up ground on the outside. But Lady’s Island was never threatened in the run for home, although Miss Auramet got within three-parts of a length at the finish with Hear My Prayer another half-length back in third. The final time on an offtrack was :58.87 as A Bit of Both completed the Floridabred superfecta followed by Lagertha (Chi) and Floridabred Double Medal. “She’s been so good to me, so good to the barn, so good to the connections,” trainer Georgina Baxter said. “She’s been so beautifully campaigned by the owners, and we’re going to miss her not only as a racehorse but as a horse. She’s such a pleasure to be around. It’s bittersweet. I’m just so pleased that she went out on top, because she deserves it after all she’s done and achieved.

“I wasn’t really worried. She always pulls through. She never lets us down.”

Lady’s Island is out of the Broad Brush mare Broadway Martha and was bred by Bailey Bolen, who campaigned her in her first 15 starts before Rick Averill claimed her for $16,000 in the name of his Averill Racing LLC out of a third-place finish on June 22, 2018. Averill then partnered with Matties Racing Stable LLC and they raced her together for the remainder of her career.

Lady’s Island was the point leader in the female sprinter category in the 2020 Chase to the Championship which determines Floridabred champions as recognized by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and a career record of 18 wins, five seconds and four thirds from 35 starts. The $61,380 check for winning the Ladies’ Turf Sprint pushed her lifetime earnings to $665,575 and she was cataloged as a multiple graded stakes-winner having won the Grade 3 Sugar Swirl Stakes at Gulfstream Park in 2019-20.

Her first Sugar Swirl victory completed a 2019 campaign that saw her win eight of nine starts that year that also included wins in the Nicole’s Dream Stakes and Bob Umphrey Turf Sprint, both at Gulfstream. Her only blemish in 2019 was a runner-up effort to that year’s FTBOA champion older female and champion female sprinter Stormy Embrace in the Musical Romance Stakes, also at Gulfstream. ■

Florida-bred Lady’s Island

Dream Trip for Chess’s Dream in Kitten’s Joy Victory

Florida-bred is first stakes winner for Florida sire Jess’s Dream

Chess’s Dream jumped from a five-length victory against Florida-bred special weight maidens on Dec. 13 right into Grade 3 company Jan. 30 but the increased level of competition did not deter the 3-year-old colt, who won the $100,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes at Gulfstream Park and gave Ocala Stud stallion Jess’s Dream his first stakes winner.

Trained by Michael Maker for Michael Dubb, Steven Bochev, Bethlehem Stables LLC and Chester A. Bishop, Chess’s Dream broke evenly from post one with Tyler Gaffalione aboard. The field then quickly assembled into two flights of three with Original, Kentucky Pharoah and $100,000 Central Park Stakes-winner Never Surprised making up the first trio going into the clubhouse turn

with Chess’s Dream, It’s a Gamble and Florida-bred Sigiloso three abreast from about a length-and-a-half back.

Original took over for the run down the backstretch with Kentucky Pharoah to his outside in second as Chess’s Dream took up a stalking position along the rail in third from about a length-and-a-half back as they completed the first quarter-mile in :23.30.

After a half-mile in :47.54, Original and Kentucky Pharoah locked up around the far turn as Chess’s Dream remained patient with a ground saving trip in third while Never Surprised challenged with a four-wide move.

Turning for home, Original left an opening on the rail, giving Chess’s Dream and Gaffalione an opportunity and they quickly took advantage and shot to the lead on the inside with Kentucky Pharoah and Never Surprised still a threat farther out.

Chess’s Dream increased his lead in the final furlong and finished with a two-length margin under the wire in 1:35.18 over the mile on the firm turf. Never Surprised, Original and Sigiloso finished in a photo for second with the camera showing Never Surprised a nose ahead of Original, who was another nostril better than Sigiloso in fourth. Kentucky Pharoah and It’s a Gamble completed the order of finish.

“I knew there was going to be a lot of speed. It kind of surprised me when Johnny [Velazquez on Original] committed early, but I had the perfect position down on the fence. I was able to save ground,” Gaffalione said. “On the far turn, it looked like Johnny’s horse was trying to get out a little bit on him. I didn’t panic and a hole opened up and when I asked him he really accelerated. He’s a longstriding colt. He’ll just get better the longer he goes.”

Dubb also noted that Chess’s Dream had been entered to run in the $200,000 Texas Turf Mile at Sam Houston but said he was obviously happy with the decision to remain in Florida.

“It’s very nice when you make the right decision. It’s definitely a 50-50 proposition,” Dubb said. “I held my breath and made sure he’d be able to get through. He got through and he was much the best, so we’re just over the moon.”

Chess’s Dream was let go at 8-1 and re-

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OBITUARIES Rosa Mae McQueen Gray

GRAY FAMILY PHOTO Rosa Mae McQueen Gray, 77, was born on April 15,1943 in Hope Hull, Ala., to Lola and Bill McQueen Sr. She received her formal education in the public school system of Montgomery Co., in Montgomery, Ala. Rosa Mae McQueen Gray accepted Christ at an early age. She was as United with Mountain Hill Baptist Church, Montgomery, later joining Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church in Cotton Plant, Fla., and finally Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church for the past 36 years. She served on the Missionary board and a honorary choir Rosa Mae McQueen Gray member. In her leisure, she enjoyed gardening, interior decorating, loving her grand kids and spending time with her family and friends.

Mrs. Rose Mae McQueen Gray leaves to cherish her loving memories a loving and devoted husband of 51 years Lugusta (“Gus”) Gray; three children: Sylvia McQueen, Earnest Goldsmith (Renea), Carol Gray Robinson (Phil) all of Ocala; seven grandchildren: E.J. Goldsmith (Tee), Lamar Gray (Candace), Cory McQueen (Tiffany), Vanessa Goldsmith, Jade Robinson, Phil Robinson, O’Neal Robinson (Lauren); six great grandchildren: Janae Goldsmith, Vanessa Goldsmith, Lilly Gray, Trinity Gray, Caelyn McQueen, and Camille Gray; siblings: Ella Cayson (David), Essie McQueen, Millie Osborne, Emanuel McQueen, Felicia McQueen and Vickie Carter; one aunt: Annie McQueen, a goddaughter: Caren Lee; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. ■

Jimmy Hobales

FILE PHOTO

Jimmy Hobales, a former thoroughbred and steeplechase rider who worked for more than 50 years at South Florida tracks, died Jan. 11.

Hobales was 91.

Hobales rode at Saratoga, Belmont, Aqueduct and Monmouth in the 1950s. He also rode steeplechase horses and was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated in October of 1954. Born in Elmira, N.Y., Hobales grew up in Darby, Pa., where he drove a milk wagon and first fell in love with horses. Many people also knew Hobales as an entertainer who played the harmonica, including the National Anthem at the South Florida tracks before afternoon race cards. ■

turned $18.60 to win. The $61,380 first-place check pushed his career earnings to $108,980.

Bred in Florida by Loren Nichols, Chess’s Dream is out of the Bellamy Road mare Achalaya, who also produced 2019 Kitten’s Joy-winner Casa Creed. The victory improves his record to two wins and two seconds from five starts.

Chess’s Dream was purchased by Reitman Stables for $20,000 at the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Winter Mixed Sale from Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck’s Summerfield consignment. He was sold again as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton July where Sean S. Pearl Bloodstock took him for $25,000 from the Woodford Thoroughbreds consignment.

The dark bay or brown colt began his career with two second-place finishes against special weight maidens at Gulfstream Park, both at one mile on the grass. He was a neck behind winner Castle King on Aug. 9 and a length behind Heat of the Night on Sept. 3. He then finished off the board in the $400,000 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association Florida Sire Stakes In Reality at a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the main track on Sept. 26 before breaking his maiden going seven-and-a-half furlongs on the turf by five lengths in his previous start, both also at Gulfstream. ■

First Foal of Breaking Lucky is a Colt

The first foal of graded stakes-winning millionaire Breaking Lucky was born Jan. 29 at Blue Star Racing in Scott, La. Bred by 4M Ranch and Blue Star Racing, the colt is out of Anea, by Unbridled’s Song, who has already produced one winner out of two starters. Her dam, Desire to Excel, was a multiple stakes-winner, graded stakes-placed and was on the board five out of seven starts. She has produced three winners out of five starters, including one black type winner.

“If there is one word that I can use to describe this colt, it would be strong” Blue Star Racing owner Dex Comardelle said. “He is nicely put together, has all the right angles, has good bone, conformation, and lots of leg. If this first colt is any indication of how the rest of Breaking Lucky’s crop will look, it’s going to be an exciting year.”

After breaking his maiden in only his second start, Breaking Lucky went on to win Woodbine’s 2015 Prince of Wales Stakes, the second leg of Canada’s Triple. In 2016, he won the Grade 3 Seagram Cup Stakes at Woodbine and went on to place in the Grade 1 Clark Handicap, Grade 1 Whitney Stakes, and Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap behind Horse of the Year Gun Runner. Breaking Lucky was on the board in 10 graded stakes and two black type races, campaigned in two countries, and earned $1,196,376. “Breaking Lucky had an incredible, quality book of mares in his first year at stud with mares spread across the region,” said Comardelle.

“It’s very special to have his first foal born here at Blue Star Racing –where he began his stallion career. We are excited about our new partnership with Pleasant Acres Stallions and will continue to support him with quality mares now that he is in Florida.” ■

Bruce Hill retires from Live Oak Stud

Longtime Live Oak Stud General Manager Bruce Hill retired from his post on Feb. 10, the farm announced Feb. 10.

“His tenure as general manager has played a vital role in our breeding and racing success,” said Charlotte Weber. “We wish him and Deborah well as they will always be a part of our Live Oak family.” ■